Liam Scales is set to make his 45th appearance for Celtic this season in the Scottish Cup Final 2024, a number equalled by Callum McGregor and surpassed only by Joe Hart.
The partnership the 25-year-old and the imminently outgoing Hart have formed this year has helped Celtic to a third successive league title, and, all going to plan for the pair, a Scottish Cup win is on the cards.
With a full week of preparation ahead, Scales is confident he and his peers need little in the way of extra motivation for such a big game, but likewise admitted seeing off the veteran stopper with one last piece of silverware would be extra special.
"Joe is brilliant," said Scales. "He's obviously a top keeper, he's kept us in games and has made top saves in games. But he's also a top person. He's a top personality, and he's been behind me all year.
"He's also delighted for me, he's made that clear. He's seen where I was at the start of the season, for a couple of seasons before, and he's just as happy as I am. It's just great to have that, and to be able to say I played a season where I played with the best, that's something I'll have forever. I've had a great year with him and he'll be missed – not just as a player, but as a person around the place as well.
"You can see the love he's getting off of the fans and around the place. Everyone wants [to win the cup final] for him. Obviously, we don't need any more motivation but if there was another reason to do it, then that'd be it, definitely."
Celtic will play Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final 2024 on Saturday, May 25.
