Celtic open negotiations for defender in what could be a record move

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 23: Ange Postecoglou,coach of Yokohama F.Marinos looks on prior to the J.League MEIJI YASUDA J1 match between Yokohama F.Marinos and Gamba Osaka at Nissan Stadium on February 23, 2020 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty images)
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 23: Ange Postecoglou,coach of Yokohama F.Marinos looks on prior to the J.League MEIJI YASUDA J1 match between Yokohama F.Marinos and Gamba Osaka at Nissan Stadium on February 23, 2020 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty images)

Defence is an area that has been a worry for Celtic for a while now. Even last season, there appeared to be problems at the back as many of the club’s defenders struggled for both form and fitness. And after their disappointing start to this campaign, it does look like the club need to bring in reinforcements.

Centre-back, left-back and right-back, all appear to be areas that Ange Postecoglou could do with a bit of strengthening in. As a result, could the club be looking to sign someone with the versatility to feature in multiple positions?

As reported by the Irish Examiner, Celtic have opened negotiations with Shamrock Rovers for Liam Scales. The club could be looking for a transfer fee of around €600,000 plus add-ons for the defender, which would break the transfer record for a League of Ireland player. A number of English Championship and League One clubs are interested in his signature as well but the Hoops are favourites amid ongoing talks.

Scales has shown shown his versatility in recent times and is capable of playing as a centre-back as well as a left-wing back.

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Could Scales be the player that Celtic need at the moment?

The 22-year-old has certainly shown good potential and he could prove to be a good signing, especially considering his versatility. Is he someone who would be able to come into the first-team immediately though?

That is something that will certainly be interesting. At this point of time, the Hoops do need players who can make an impact in the first-team. They are already out of the Champions League qualifiers and also lost the opening day game against Hearts.

Thus, clearly there is a lot of work to be done if the club are to challenge for the Premiership this season. And if they do end up signing Scales, let’s just hope that he can come in and immediately establish himself as a first-team regular.