There were a host of marquee who walked through the door of Parkhead and signed for Celtic this summer.
The Hoops were incredibly busy in the transfer market as Ange Postecoglou and Dominic McKay were keen to make their intentions known.
They did lose three key players but have bought well and seem to be in a promising place to improve upon a dismal 2020/21 campaign.
On the chalkboard
There have been some eye-catching additions to Celtic over the last few months. Teenager Liel Abada looks a breath of fresh air on the flanks, while Kyogo Furuhashi has become an instant hit. The Japanese forward already has seven goals in nine outings and looks to be a perfect replacement for the now-departed Odsonne Edouard.
However, you sense the most important additions have come in defence. Josip Juranovic will halt Celtic’s reliance on an inexperienced Anthony Ralston, while Cameron Carter-Vickers will hopefully stabilise a rocky backline.
One of the few areas they didn’t strengthen too well, though, was at left-back.
The Hoops saw Diego Laxalt head back to Milan when last season ended, and with Boli Bolingoli not in Postecoglou’s plans, their options in that part of the pitch look unconvincing.
Greg Taylor has already attracted fan criticism and the manager will hope he doesn’t have to use Juranovic at left-back too often as he did in the Old Firm derby.
Adam Montgomery remains a very inexperienced option, so a certain Liam Scales could become somewhat of a secret weapon.
The defender is 23 but is relatively inexperienced in the senior game. Scales wasn’t spotted properly until he was 16 and playing for Arklow Town. He gained experience with University College Dublin before really making a name for himself in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers.
Described as the “hottest property” in the country by the Irish Examiner, Scales has risen to prominence in swift fashion.
Standing at 6 foot 2, the youngster is strong in the air and capable of playing in a variety of positions. He can play at centre-back but has earned acclaim for his performances at left-back and at wing-back.
Scales netted one goal and provided two assists for Shamrock Rovers in their Europa Conference League qualifying run and can lend a helping hand in an area where Postecoglou’s team are incredibly light.
He has a captivating game and should provide the Bhoys with a great deal both going forward and at the back.
Speaking about the defender after he arrived, Postecoglou commented: “Liam is a young player who has impressed us and is someone who we think has the potential to have a big future at Celtic. He is an athletic defender who has the ability to play in a number of positions.”
Republic of Ireland under-21 boss Jim Crawford has also backed him to make the grade quickly at Paradise.
He said: “He was part of the 21s, he wasn’t playing too many minutes and he got a break against Italy at left-back.
“I was hugely impressed, a game of that magnitude, Italy at Tallaght Stadium, he was excellent. He was someone I always felt could go a long way in the game.
“He defends well and he has really come on over the last few years at Rovers, really developed.
“He’s a great fella, a great pro and I feel it won’t be too long before he breaks into the senior team. He has the attitude and the ability.”
With Taylor proving to be an inconsistent player at Celtic, Scales has a genuine chance of becoming a first-team regular. Postecoglou definitely needs to unleash him after the international break.