Liam Scales – A Journey from doing Deliveroo deliveries to becoming a Celtic star | OneFootball

From pedalling pizzas to patrolling the backline for Celtic, Liam Scales’ rise through the ranks of football is a tale of grit, graft, and a touch of academic ambition…

Kenny, Scales and Ralston. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Before signing with Celtic in 2021, the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international wasn’t always earning a living on the pitch. Speaking candidly in a recent video interview with YouTuber Jack Keaney for Jack’s Tee Time Talks, Liam Scales revealed a lesser-known chapter of his life: working as a delivery cyclist for Deliveroo.

Liam Scales celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Deliveroo, yeah. I used to cycle around!” Scales said with a grin. “We weren’t getting paid [playing football]. We were on the scholarship, but to get a few quid I started doing Deliveroo.”

Scales’ football journey began at grassroots level with Arklow Town

Scales’ football journey began at grassroots level with Arklow Town, where he kicked off his love for the game at just five years old. “My dad would say whenever he came to pick me up from nursery I was just out the back kicking a ball into a goal,” he recalled.

A key moment in his early career came when he chose to join University College Dublin (UCD) in the League of Ireland—turning down offers from other clubs in favour of combining football with education. “I had a good few clubs interested in me but it was the scholarship system at UCD that attracted me,” he explained.

Liam Scales. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

We were good academically

Education was always encouraged at home. “My mum was a teacher so she always wanted me and the siblings to do well at school and we did,” Scales added. “We always had the choice to do whatever we wanted but we were good academically, so doing that education while plying football was perfect for me.”

Since arriving at Celtic, Scales has steadily cemented his place in the first team, even weathering a loan spell at Aberdeen to come back stronger. His story is a reminder that the path to professional football isn’t always lined with glamour—and sometimes, it starts with a delivery bag on your back.

Here’s the interview for you to watch…

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