Liam Scales knows Celtic haven't been good enough since the last international break and wants that to change

Liam Scales has warned rivals Celtic are ready to roar after the break to keep Premiership pretenders at arm’s length.

The Hoops went into the international fortnight with a four point advantage at the top of the table following Sunday’s 1-0 win against Kilmarnock. Scales notched the winner and insisted Celts have shaken off their ropy form and will be ready to hit top gear when they return.

The Republic of Ireland ace said: “We know we haven’t been good enough between the last international window and this one. We’ve let a few results go and we’re not exactly where we want to be. It was just really important to win these last two games before the break and be in a good place for coming back. We always want to be on top of the table. We don’t want to be chasing.

“We want to be good arm’s length from the challengers. That is the goal all season – to stay top. It’s important to us but obviously there are so many games to play. You go through really busy spells and both teams will be challenged. But we are just happy where we are now. We had Yang back on Sunday, Jota is obviously starting. These guys are getting back to full sharpness and getting minutes. Hopefully this will help and we can build on it.”

Scales admitted Celtic have struggled at times this term despite leading from the front. But the Parkhead squad don’t need to be told the target for the season – with the demand to retain the title clear and obvious.

Martin O’Neill’s men have a four-point gap – having played a game more than second place Rangers – and Scales admitted the Hoops want to avoid a repeat of the heart-stopping drama of last year when they were forced to come back from behind to clinch the championship at the death.

Celts were eight points adrift at one stage and had to claw back a seven point deficit towards the finishing line – before pipping shock troops Hearts with just minutes to spare.

Scales said: “It hasn’t been spoken about – but it doesn’t need to be spoken about. We all know the standards at this club that have been set over a number of years. It doesn’t need to be discussed where we want to be – because it’s top of the table. Last season wasn’t what we wanted at all and we don’t want a repeat of that.”

Scales has joined up with the Republic of Ireland squad for their Nations League clashes in Austria and at home to Kosovo. But midfielder Mika Baur could be forced to pull out of the Germany under-21 squad after suffering an ankle injury late in Sunday’s Killie win.

The playmaker is awaiting results of a scan with boss O’Neill hoping the 22-year-old can avoid a spell on the sidelines. Wide man Yang Hyun-jun is set sit out Korean’s Middle East friendlies with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, having missed two months through injury after being part of the under 23 squad that win the Asian Games in September.