Liam Scales is Aberdeen FC transfer target but Celtic exit rests on final Brendan Rodgers assessment

Aberdeen boss Barry Robson is keen to re-sign Liam Scales from Celtic.

The Celtic defender had a successful loan in the Granite City and was a big player for Robson’s side as they clinched third spot and guaranteed European group stage football. The Irishman has since gone back to the Hoops and has played his part on their pre-season tour of Japan.

Robson, who watched his side lose at Preston at the weekend, is looking to bring in defensive reinforcements with the news that Rhys Williams and Angus MacDonald could both miss the start of the season through injury. Serbian defender Slobodan Rubezic is a player that the Dons are working on but still need to finalise a deal for the Novi Pazar star and get a work visa issued. Scales also remains a key target for Robson but has to wait for his Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers to assess his own squad first.

The 24-year-old played against Gamba Osaka at the weekend and has trained under Rodgers ’ watchful eye. Scales didn’t really get a fair crack under Ange Postecoglou and it remains to be seen if that will change under his successor.

Rodgers was short of central defensive options but those concerns now appear to be easing. Celtic are about to announce the signing of Maik Nawrocki from Legia Warsaw and Cameron Carter-Vickers has now returned to training with the B Team and will join up with the first-team on their return later this week.

The champions also have Carl Starfelt and Stephen Welsh, although Yuki Kobayashi looks to have dropped down the pecking order for the central defensive spots. Aberdeen need to wait for Rodgers to make a decision on Scales.

The Dons were prepared to buy Scales at the end of last season but Celtic were looking for a significant