I still feel I have to prove myself..there's no other way at this club

IF THE events of the last fortnight at Celtic prove anything it's that two weeks are a long time in football.

- KEITH JACKSON

So, for Liam Scales, the last six months of 2023 must have felt like an eternity he never wanted to end.

This time a year ago Scales was farmed out on loan at Aberdeen, looking forward to a summer of uncertainty with his long-term place at Parkhead as far away as possible from being secure.

But Scales has emerged as a cornerstone of the title defence that Brendan Rodgers is building in Glasgow's east end.

And he further cemented his credentials on Saturday as the champions brought down the curtain on the calendar year with an Old Firm win over Rangers opening up an eight-point.

lead at the top of the table despite letting their rivals back into the race during an accident-prone December.

It's little wonder Scales has hardly had time to catch a breath. He smiled: "I'm getting used to it now.

I have had that experience of Champions League games and a couple of these derbies and there have been so many big games lately.

"I would say I'm used to these derbies now as well. It doesn't take many to get a feel for how big the occasion is like and what it demands. It's just a case of going out and doing the job you always do on the pitch.

"Yes, I still feel as if I have to prove myself but I think everyone does. With the amount of competition there is, you can't just slack.

"Everyone has to prove themselves in every single game. That is part of being a player here with the demands of the support and the quality of player you are competing with.

"I am just delighted with how it has gone over these last few months. It has been a great calendar year for me, things have only gone one way.