There aren’t many areas of the pitch that Celtic can shout about this season.
Over the course of the campaign, the attack has been weak, the midfield non-existent, but Celtic’s defence has been consistently solid.
Yes, Celtic’s League Cup semi-final win over Rangers on Sunday at Hampden was an open affair, but Auston Trusty still walked away with the Man of the Match award.
While the American is getting all the love, Andy Halliday thinks the man beside him – Liam Scales – deserves his flowers for what he has done this season.
Andy Halliday on Liam Scales criticism after Celtic beat Rangers
From Halliday’s perspective, he thinks Scales was Celtic’s ‘best player’ against Rangers, as he highlighted that incredible goal-saving tackle on Djeidi Gassama.
But speaking on Open Goal, the Motherwell player thinks Scales is still getting ‘a massive amount of criticism’ despite his performances this term.
“I have got to say,” said Halliday. “You know who was Celtic’s best player, and honestly, he still gets a massive amount of criticism, is Liam Scales.
“Defending his box. We talk about the best of football. Stopping crosses. Defending. Crosses clearing. Tackling. Scales, I thought, was immense at that.
“The tackle for Gassama mate. Seeing that back. The distance he covered to get back.”
Scales’ stats this season
Scales has featured in every game for Celtic this season, and his status becomes even more important now that Cameron Carter-Vickers is injured until next year.
WhoScored have rated the Irishman’s Premiership performances at an impressive 7.38, as he also receives a healthy rating in the Europa League – 7.16.
- Scales’ games in all competitions: 18
- Goals: 2
- Team goals conceded: 14
- Clean sheets: 9
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