Celtic have secured the long-term futures of defender Liam Scales and midfielder Luke McCowan with both players signing new contracts at Parkhead. Scales, who has 14 caps for the Republic of Ireland, admitted he was "raw" when he arrived from his homeland and credited his loan spell at Aberdeen for accelerating his development into the player he has become.

The centre-half believes his best years are still ahead of him, stating: "As a centre-half, you might peak at a later age than some other positions, so I hope these next four or five years will be my best." He added that he has "grown to love" the club and his life in Scotland, calling it "an amazing club."

McCowan, a lifelong Celtic fan, admitted that signing a new contract "does not feel long" since he was a late deadline-day arrival. "Initially I probably wouldn't have dreamed to have played for Celtic and to get that far," he said. "To be able to say I'm singing another deal, I feel absolutely electric inside." The midfielder helped the club win the Scottish title convincingly in his debut season.

Interim manager Martin O'Neill praised both players during his tenure, describing Scales as "absolutely terrific" and someone who gives Celtic "the ability to play at left-back." Of McCowan, O'Neill said: "He's a solid little midfield player with a good eye for a pass and, if close to goal, you feel he is going to go close to the target."