“Everything is there for a manager to come in and have a good time,” Liam Scales

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·29. November 2025

“Everything is there for a manager to come in and have a good time,” Liam Scales

Liam Scales reflected on the significance of Celtic’s win the night before in Rotterdam against Feyenoord in the Europa League before turning his attention to the match against Hibs tomorrow at Easter Road…

Liam Scales – St Mirren v Celtic, 23 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The Celtic defender also reflected on the time working with the interim management team of Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney and gave a little insight into what the players have been doing as they prepare for the arrival of Wilfried Nancy at the start in the week.

OneFootball Videos

On the brilliant victory in De Kuip on Thursday Scales said: “Feyenoord are a really good side so to go away and beat them there was brilliant. And we needed a result, we knew that, we needed to put points on the board so that was big for us. We know we’ve still got a couple of home games coming up in the competition so we can add to that for sure.”

Martin O’Neill interim manager of Celtic Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 November 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark Photo Michael Zemanek Shutterstock IMAGO

On working under the interim management team over the past month, there’s no doubt the Celtic players have enjoyed the experience. “It’s been brilliant,” Scales said. “It’s obviously been a mad couple of weeks and we haven’t had much time to sit and think.

“Sometimes a transition can be tough but it’s been good. Shaun’s obviously taken a big role and he’s been here beforehand so it’s been quite seamless the fact that he’s come straight in and done really well. And the gaffer’s been great as well.

“I think we lacked confidence and Martin’s done a lot to give players confidence and you could see that on Thursday night. We still have a long way to go. There’s room for improvement – we know that – but it’s nice to see that bit of confidence in players that were maybe struggling a little bit, so it’s been a nice change.”

Hibernian v Celtic Scottish Premiership 28/10/2023. Outside Easter Road before the Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic at Easter Road on 28 October 2023. Photo Paul Phelan PSI

On tomorrow’s visit to Easter Road in the Scottish Premiership, the Ireland international defender is expecting a tough challenge from Hibernian.

“Hibs are a tough side. We played them earlier on in the year and they were really good. It’s always a difficult place to go. We’re just trying to recover from the game and get fully focused on going there and winning because we’re on a nice run and we just want to keep that going” Scales said.

The Hibs game brings to an end the tough three match run of away fixtures and with wins at St Mirren and Feyenoord already secured finishing it off with three points at Easter Road will set Celtic – and the incoming manager – up brilliantly and will also give Martin O’Neill the perfect send-off that he deserves.

Liam Scales of Celtic celebrates with Colby Donovan of Celtic after scoring to tie the game 1-1. Celtic v Sturm Graz, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, 23 October 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

“We know after this game that we’ve got a few home games so it will be nice to get back to Celtic Park,” Scales said.

Asked if the players had been going through the articles and searching Google for information on Wilfried Nancy, Scales admitted that there’s been some of that going on amongst the players. “Bits and pieces, I suppose,” he admitted before pointing out just an exciting job the Frenchman will be taking over.

“We don’t have much time to think about anything other than the next game. We have a game every few days, and that’s keeping us occupied, at the moment.

Wilfried Nancy head coach of the Columbus Crew looks on before the 2025 MLS Cup Playoff match against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field on November 02, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

“I am sure when everything is done, and an announcement is made, that’s the time to buy into what the new manager is going to bring rather than now. We have games to win.”

“I think, coming in from the outside, it will be a great one to come into. As you said, you have winners. We have a League Cup final coming up. We are still battling away in Europe. And we want to get back on top in the league.

“Everything is there. Everything is there for a manager to come in and have a good time. A right good at trying to achieve those things. It’s exciting.”

GREEN FRIDAY SALE AT CELTIC STAR BOOKS NOW ON!

Green Friday Sale Now ON – All books shown now HALF PRICE at just £10 each!

Green Friday Sale Now on at Celtic Star Books, all books other than David Potter’s Celtic in the Eighties, are now HALF PRICE! Great Christmas Shopping bargains, choose from Celtic in the Thirties, volumes One and Two, Harry Hood – Twice as Good, Bould Bhoys – Glory to Their Name – The Story of Celtic’s First Title Win, Invincible, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style, Majic Stan and the King of Japan – Gordon Strachan’s first season at Celtic and there are also a few remaining copies of Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle.

All these books shown below are now HALF PRICE at only a TENNER each and please note that you will only be charged postage on the first book in your order, so order two or more and get FREE postage on the second book onwards.

Shop now at Celticstarbooks.com and support the great historical writing from our authors on The Celtic Star. High quality hardback books and the best Celtic writers all in one place. Also if you are ordering any of Matt Corr’s books he’ll be happy to add a personal dedication, just ask in notes when ordering and Matt will do the rest!

Half Price Sale Now on – All these books now only £10. Click on image to order.