*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:06, 30 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:01, 17 November 2024 (UTC)
In 2019 he underwent trials at English clubs Manchester City[10] and Bristol Rovers, with him seeming to be set to sign for the latter before the deal fell through.[11][12]
Shamrock Rovers
He moved to Shamrock Rovers for the 2020 season,[13][14] and "played a significant part in their league success".[4] He also made seven appearances for the club in European competitions, scoring once,[15] and getting sent off on his European debut.[16] In July 2021 he was described as "the hottest property in the League of Ireland" and linked with a transfer away from the club.[17]
On 26 November 2021, he was named in the PFAI Team of the Year for 2021, as voted by his fellow players.[18]
Scales went to Aberdeen for a season-long loan in June 2022.[25] This transfer caused controversy amongst a section of the Aberdeen support, who launched criticism at their board for continuing to sign players on loan from Celtic. Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin defended his signature, with him stating that: "I'm a big fan of the loan market as it gives you the opportunity to sign players that you would maybe not normally be able to afford. The size of club we are we want to be signing players on permanent contracts. That conversation was had with Celtic initially. We wanted to know what the number was and could we make it happen. Celtic are not willing to sell Liam at this moment".[26]
On 10 July 2022, Scales made his Aberdeen debut in a 2–0 Scottish League Cup win at Peterhead.[27] On 17 September 2022, Scales was sent off in 3–1 defeat at Hibernian after he was shown a second yellow card by referee David Dickinson.[28] Four months later he was shown red again in a 6–0 loss against the same opposition, a result that saw manager Jim Goodwin removed from his position shortly after the match.[29]
Scales first goal for Aberdeen was in a 2–0 win over Rangers.[30]
Return to Celtic
Scales in 2023.
Scales was linked with a return to Aberdeen ahead of the 2023–24 season,[31] but became a Celtic first-team player following injuries to other players.[32][33] He became a regular player for Celtic following his return to the club in the 2023–24 season, and signed a new four-year contract in May 2024.[34][35]
International career
Scales was a Republic of Ireland under-21 international,[5][19][36] winning six caps.[37]
He was recalled by Ireland in October 2023.[40] On 13 October 2023, he made his senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland in a 2–0 defeat at against Greece at the Aviva Stadium.[41]
On 10 October 2024, Scales scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, an equalising header against Finland, in a match that ended in a 2–1 win to the Republic of Ireland.[43]
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