Celtic must hold their nerve as they come under pressure at the top of the Premiership from Rangers, according to Liam Scales, with the defender saying they abandoned their principles in a frantic second half at Pittodrie at the weekend.

Celtic pinned Aberdeen in during the first half of that game, but having failed to take any of the numerous chances they fashioned, they fell behind just after the interval through a Bojan Miovski strike.

They were then forced to chase the game, and although a Nick Kuhn equaliser earned them a point, they looked just as likely to lose the game as win it as opportunities came and went at either end.

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Scales says that isn’t like a Celtic team, and that he and his teammates have to handle matches – and the overall situation in the title race – with much more composure from here on in.

“In games like the one against Aberdeen, when the game is level with 20 minutes to go, we need to stick to our principles,” Scales said.

“That’s what got us to be champions last year and that’s what got us to the top of the league this season.

“We feel like that is a big thing – holding our nerve and doing what you are supposed to be doing rather than people panicking and trying things they normally wouldn’t try.

“We know what we are here to do. The easiest thing to do is to do your job. That will help the team then. That is key – keeping our nerve and not drifting from what we are meant to do.

“I think if you don’t embrace [the pressure] then it will make it more difficult for you. It’s just part of it and there’s no getting away from that.

“The only thing you can do is embrace it and move on with it. It’s a good thing for us.

“But we have to be professional and sort of stay level-headed and not let it affect us negatively. That can be a challenge too.”

Meanwhile, Scales backed up manager Brendan Rodgers’ assessment yesterday of his new club teammate, Adam Idah, with the striker making an impression when they have played together for the Republic of Ireland.

“He’s a top player,” Scales said.

“I’ve seen a lot of him. I was in the Irish under-21s with him when I think he was 17 when he came on.

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“He played probably game for the under 21s and he was in the first team by the time he was 18 or 19.

“I remember him playing against Italy, he was playing against the Inter Milan centre half at the time. Adam was 17, but he was throwing him around, running rings round him.

“I know what he’s capable of. A lot of people won’t have seen much of him. But it wasn’t really a surprise for me how well he did at Aberdeen when he came on. It was brilliant, he led the line well. And he has goals in his game as well.

“I’m just excited to see how he does here. I’ve a good feeling about it. He’s been tipped to be a star since he was very young.

“The main thing for him will be to play as much as he can. Maybe he wasn’t getting as much game time at Norwich as he would have liked.

“He scored a few goals at the start of the season and it changed a bit for him.

“At his age, he’ll want to be playing as much as he can and scoring as much as he can. Being up here will give him an opportunity for that.”