Brendan Rodgers has praised Liam Scales for his “outstanding” performance in Celtic’s loss to Feyenoord.
The Irish defender was making his first UEFA Champions League appearance in Rotterdam, and put in a solid performance on a night when individual moments of madness cost Celtic.
Scales‘ central-defensive partner Gustaf Lagerbielke received a second yellow and gave away a penalty following an unnecessary collision with Igor Paixao. Minutes later, Odin Thiago Holm was dismissed for a wild tackle in the centre of the pitch.
Rodgers shared how both players reacted to the incidents at his post-match press conference, as he took the opportunity to praise Scales.
“Obviously [they were] bitterly disappointed afterward. It’s their first experience of games at this level. But that’s a big learning for them.
“I thought Gustaf had done well up until that point. I thought Liam Scales was outstanding on the night, and Gustaf up until that point had been coping well.
“So both of them will be bitterly disappointed but they will learn from it.” (Scottish Football Podcast)
Scales was probably our best performer on the night so the praise from Rodgers is justified. Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart felt the same way too. He described the former Aberdeen loanee as “fantastic” in his media outing. (The Herald)
Scales has really come on to a game over the past few weeks, starting with his performance in the derby win at Ibrox. He has looked far more assured than Lagerbielke, although it is still very early days for the Swede.
The pair could start together at Livingston on Saturday, although Nat Phillips may be back by then. Cameron Carter-Vickers should also return over the next month while Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh are longer-term absentees.
In other news, Odsonne Edouard’s time has arrived down south and it’s reflecting really well on Celtic
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