Liam Scales has been urged to follow in the footsteps of Jackie McNamara and be the best in his position at Aberdeen if he’s to have a successful loan spell in Granite City.

The 23-year-old joined Celtic last season from Shamrock Rovers but has joined the Dons on a season-long loan after struggling to break through into Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Jim Goodwin lavished praised on the centre-back’s performances throughout Aberdeen’s League Cup campaign after the club’s fans unfurled a banner voicing their disapproval of the club signing another Celtic loanee.

Ryan Christie and Adam Montgomery have both had spells at Pittodrie in recent seasons, and Richie Byrne, who made the move from Shamrock Rovers to Aberdeen via Dunfermline throughout his 15-year playing career, knows all about the scrutiny that will be placed on Scales’ weekly performances.

He said to Glasgow Live Sport: "There is a lot of effort going into you winning a game on the Saturday. Aberdeen have won a few things in the past so the fans' expectations, even now, is they want to win every game.

"Even if you are playing Celtic or Rangers, they expect to win. There are not many leagues where a club is expected to win. Celtic only have one other rival for the league so the expectations there are very high too.

"They are scrutinised every game. At Aberdeen, there isn't any less pressure. The city revolves around that football team. Every fan knows you, everybody in the bars and shops know how you played on a Saturday.

"There will be no shortage of expectation, especially coming from Celtic. I remember when Jackie McNamara came to us.

"Everybody expected him to be a world-beater and that's the high-level demand that comes with He has to accept that he's coming from a big club. He is coming from the champions and you see it at other clubs. They arrive from a top club and are expected to be the star. Arriving from a club like Celtic. That comes with the territory.

"He has to accept that he's coming from a big club. He is coming from the champions and you see it at other clubs. They arrive from a top club and are expected to be the star.

"Being the star at centre-back or in defence is difficult so as a defender you just need to do your job. He needs to keep mistakes to a minimum, keep clean sheets and let the ball do the talking.

"I wasn't technically the best but I worked hard. That's all he has to do. Once the fans saw I worked hard each game, they warmed more towards me.

"Liam has to show quality when it's needed but first and foremost, show he has a drive. Personally, he shouldn't feel too much pressure."