To some, Liam Scales could be considered a veteran when it comes to Glasgow Derbies.

The Republic of Ireland international joined Celtic back in 2021 under Ange Postecoglou, though did not sample any of the famous rivalry between the two Glasgow sides. Indeed, his first experience of facing off against Celtic’s great foes was when he was on loan at Aberdeen, under the guidance of both Jim Goodwin and Barry Robson respectively.

A freak-winning goal at Pittodrie last season would forever enamour him to the Aberdeen support against Rangers, managed then by Michael Beale. Even still, the 25-year-old must still struggle to believe the volume of game-time he has managed this season at his parent club under Brendan Rodgers. Injuries to the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Maik Nawrocki ensured a chance at redemption for the defender, and he has taken this opportunity with both hands.

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Speaking to the media today, Scales spoke about the frantic nature of the biggest fixture in the Scottish football calendar, ahead of the next iteration this Sunday. He said: “The experience was mental.”

The first one at Ibrox to be thrown into that was mad. I couldn't catch my breath for 10 minutes. I got into the game and settled well. We got good results in both of them. It is a brilliant game to be part of. I am really looking forward to it again. It is the sort of game you want to be playing in as a footballer. It is up there with the biggest in world football.

“It was probably the most intense game I have played in. It is up there with the Champions League games, I suppose, in terms of intensity and you have that rivalry there which makes it intense.”

Though there have been some dissenting voices concerning this as a ‘must-win match’, Scales is under no illusions at the size of this match-up between first and second place. The defender has been in this position twice before with Celtic, winning both matches at a combined aggregate of 3-1 to Rodgers’ side this campaign. To put it simply: he knows what is expected of him on Sunday lunchtime. He said: “I have experience of it (the Glasgow Derby) now and that helps.

“At the same time, I am still preparing for it in the same way as I prepared for that match all those months ago. I know what to expect now and that will help me. They are all big. Probably towards the end of the season, they do get a bit more intense, especially when it is this tight.

“I know what to expect now and that will help me.”

The big news recently in the world of Celtic has been that of the return to first-team action for the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate and – most recently – captain Callum McGregor. A big boost for Rodgers’ side, for sure, given both the individual and collective qualities that the trio possess. Scales was part of the team that managed to pick up two wins without the likes of Carter-Vickers and Hatate, with he himself profiting from the dropping out of the team by the former. Even still, the defender recognises that their return will only benefit the team going forward, starting this weekend. He said: It’s great to have them back.

“They are good players, and they have all experience in this game. It's massive for us to have as strong a squad as possible and even if they weren't here we have guys more than capable of filling in. That helps a lot. It's a difficult game regardless of whether players are fit or not. We just have to go there with what we have and that's what we have done so far this season.

“We are looking forward to it.”

Specifically on his captain’s comeback, no one is happier than his teammate Scales on McGregor’s return to training, with the hope that he plays a part in Sunday’s proceedings. When asked about the midfielder, Scales said: “He is massive for us.

“He is our leader and mentally that helps because you are going there with your captain. That is massive for us. He is a top, top player and he is so good at controlling the tempo of the game and that is going to be key for us.

“He is a huge player to have in fixtures like this.”

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For Scales, he will be hoping to make it three wins from three in Glasgow Derby appearances. If he can keep that 100 per cent record going, then he will stand himself in good stead to become a champion at the end of this whirlwind season.

Here’s hoping he can keep that run going, then!