Celtic rocked as exit papers submitted just hours after 3 1 League Cup final defeat to St Mirren

Celtic have been thrown into further turmoil following confirmation that a senior first-team player has submitted formal exit paperwork and returned all club property, just hours after the club’s damaging 3 1 Scottish League Cup final loss to St Mirren.

The dramatic development comes in the immediate aftermath of a final that has already been described internally as a turning point. Celtic were exposed on the biggest domestic stage, conceding early and never fully recovering as St Mirren punished defensive lapses and emotional fragility. By full time, the sense of crisis was unmistakable.

The player at the centre of the unfolding situation is Liam Scales, who has now submitted all the necessary documentation signalling his intention to leave Celtic. Sources indicate Scales has also returned all club-issued belongings, making it clear that his exit is no longer theoretical but procedural. Although official confirmation is still awaited, the move is expected to be completed imminently.

Scales had been part of the squad during the League Cup final and featured regularly in recent weeks. However, the defensive struggles against St Mirren intensified scrutiny on several individuals, and the match appears to have accelerated a decision that was already under consideration behind the scenes.

The speed of these developments highlights the uncompromising approach now shaping Wilfred Nancy’s tenure as Celtic manager. Appointed to restore authority and standards, Nancy has shown he is prepared to act swiftly in the wake of failure rather than allow uncertainty to linger within the squad.

For Scales, the message after the final was clear. With the manager publicly stating that he had no immediate plan for the defender following such a high-profile defeat, staying at the club would likely have meant limited opportunities and an uncertain future. Submitting his paperwork and preparing to leave allows him to take control of his next career move.

Reaction among Celtic supporters has been mixed. Some view the situation as an inevitable consequence of a final that exposed defensive weaknesses and mental fragility. Others have questioned the club’s handling of the matter, pointing out that trusting a player in a cup final only to move toward separation hours later suggests deeper instability within the squad.

The 3 1 loss to St Mirren continues to dominate the narrative at Celtic Park. Beyond the immediate disappointment of missing out on silverware, the match has acted as a catalyst for structural change. It forced uncomfortable truths into the open and accelerated the reshaping of the squad.

With Scales on the brink of departure, Celtic now face pressing questions over defensive depth and recruitment. Defensive options are already under scrutiny, and further exits may follow as Nancy continues to assess which players fit his vision for the club’s future.

“This club cannot afford to repeat what we saw today,” Nancy said after the final. “Standards must rise.”

The message has clearly been acted upon with urgency.

Although Liam Scales remains officially a Celtic player for the moment, the return of his belongings and submission of paperwork indicate that his time at the club is effectively over. As Celtic attempt to recover from the fallout of their League Cup final defeat, his impending exit stands as the clearest sign yet that the loss to St Mirren has triggered an immediate and ruthless period of change.