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By STEPHEN HALLIDAY Published: 07: 30 AEST, 10 August 2025 | Updated: 07: 30 AEST, 10 August 2025 View comments As the Celtic supporters’ buses wind their way north this morning, there will be no shortage of angst and exasperation on board. Not for the first time followers of the Scottish champions are more than a little underwhelmed by the summer transfer activity at their club.   Combined with the ongoing uncertainty over the future of manager Brendan Rodgers as he enters the final season of his contract, it adds up to a less than joyful mood among the punters. That can’t be of any concern to the Celtic players who face Aberdeen at Pittodrie as they continue their defence of the Premiership title. While Liam Scales is appreciative of the fans’ current perspective, he is confident their fears will prove unfounded.   The Irish defender believes the Celtic squad are already in a robust position which leaves them capable of achieving their ambitions for the campaign ahead, irrespective of whether any more new faces are added before the transfer window closes on September 1. Liam Scales insists Celtic fans anxious about their transfer business shouldn't be worried Manager Brendan Rodgers wants to add to his squad but knows deals can take time to finalise ‘I understand that fans can be anxious to get new signings in, ’ said Scales. ‘It’s always exciting but these things take time. I don’t know what’s going on up above but I do know that, after being involved in transfers in the past, it’s never as straightforward as fans think. ‘I’m definitely comfortable with the squad at the moment. We have strengthened and brought in players. We had good games in pre-season and I think that’s shown. ‘We have a strong squad and every day on the training pitch the level is constantly improving because those standards are being driven. As a squad, I think all the players feel we’re strong and we’re just raring to go. ‘I think we’re in a good place and if one or two more (players) are added before the end of the window, brilliant. If not, we’re still really strong. ’ Scales faces fresh competition for his own place at the heart of Celtic’s defence following the season-long loan acquisition of highly-rated England youth cap Jahmai Simpson-Pusey from Manchester City. It’s a challenge relished by Scales who began the season alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers in last week’s 1-0 home win over St Mirren, with Auston Trusty on the bench. Having become a pretty regular first-team starter in the past two years under Rodgers, Scales is optimistic he can maintain that status. ‘At the start of every season and in every transfer window, the manager is always looking to bring in players to strengthen the squad and you can’t ever get complacent at this club, ’ said the 27-year-old. Liam Scales (left) is comfortable with the strength and depth of the Premiership champions' squad On-loan Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will add to Celtic's options ‘So I think that does help to keep everyone in every position at the top of the game because there’s always going to be someone capable who can play in your position. ‘It’s really good for the dressing room and for the standards of the club, so it’s definitely not a negative thing for me. ‘The manager is brilliant. I’ve learned a lot from him and I really enjoy playing for him. ‘It’s been a really good two past seasons for me, so I’m just hoping to continue that and keep playing for him and keep doing the jobs that he asked me to do. It’s been probably the best couple of years of my career and I’m just hoping it continues the way it has. ’ Scales is keen for Rodgers to extend his tenure at Celtic but remains in the dark over the manager’s situation. ‘I definitely want him to stay, I really enjoy playing for him, so the longer I can do that the better, ’ he added. ‘But that’s out of my hands, I don’t know much about it. Scales would love to see Rodgers agree an extension to his contract beyond this season ‘For me, the message from the manager is always clear, you can’t question anything, it’s always clear, it’s always straight to the point.   ‘I’ve found that it’s either a choice of following his instructions or not and I’ve been better off doing what he’s said and doing what’s been asked of me. ‘That’s helped me a lot because, as a player, it makes it simple. If you know your job, you know your role exactly how the manager wants it to be. ‘I think his communication has been brilliant to get his point across, that has helped me improve as a player and I think playing games under him I’ve become more comfortable in that sense, so I think that would be a massive strength of his. ’ Scales is eagerly anticipating today’s test at Pittodrie where he spent a productive season on loan with Aberdeen in 2022-23. It’s Celtic’s first meeting with the Dons since losing the Scottish Cup final on penalties to Jimmy Thelin’s side at Hampden in May but Scales is adamant that revenge will not be their primary motivation. Aberdeen celebrate beating Celtic on penalties to win the Scottish Cup last May Celtic captain Callum Mc Gregor in tears after suffering Hampden heartbreak against the Dons ‘Listen, I think I speak for everyone here in saying it hurt to lose that game the way we did, ’ he said. ‘But we’ve had time to get over it in the summer and it’s a new season now. We’re just excited to do all we can to win as much as we can this year, so that defeat is in the past now. ‘At this club, you don’t need any more motivation than what we already get week in and week out from the staff to the players. ‘There’s a massive drive to win and it comes from the fans as well. ‘So I don’t think we need any more motivation for this game against Aberdeen, it was just a sore one in the cup final. ‘It happens in football, you can’t win every game, you can’t win every trophy, so we’re all past it now. But we’re ready to start this new season the best possible way. ’

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