It seems like a lifetime ago now that Brendan Rodgers was in the Celtic dugout.
Ever since Rodgers headed for the Celtic exit door on that chaotic Monday evening, supporters have witnessed drama like never before.
From Martin O’Neill’s interim spell in charge to the nightmare opening four matches under Wilfried Nancy.
Celtic’s new manager has made a huge change to the formation and system, but also to the personnel, as Liam Scales’ role under Nancy has left Charlie Mulgrew surprised.
Is Liam Scales really undroppable for Celtic? Who could replace him?
Liam Scales and Auston Trusty under Wilfried Nancy
Scales was a regular under Rodgers, and even playing ahead of Auston Trusty on occasions, but he now finds himself on the bench.
Speaking on The Breakdown, Mulgrew expressed his surprise at Scales being benched by stating, ‘I don’t understand how he can’t get into the team.’
According to Mulgrew, the Republic of Ireland star has been Celtic’s ‘best defender’ this season, but now Trusty is the only bona fide centre-back in the XI.
“Scales isn’t even playing,” said Mulgrew. “He (Nancy) said he was rested, now he’s basically dropped. He didn’t play against Aberdeen.
“I think he prefers Trusty. I think he likes fullbacks on the outside of the centre backs. The warning signs were there against Dundee United. You play against teams that are going to struggle against set-pieces. They went with it again.
“It tells you that he likes fullbacks in the areas rather than centre-backs. Trusty is the one centre-back who is playing.
“To be fair to Trusty, I can feel watching him; he is playing for Nancy. He is behind him and putting the work in.
“But I just think Scales has been the best defender. I don’t understand how he can’t get into the team.”
Do you agree with our Celtic predicted XI vs Livingston?
How have Scales and Trusty rated for Celtic this season?
Remember, Trusty missed parts of the campaign because of injury, and just before Rodgers left, he was making his way back into the side.
In the meantime, Scales was putting up several strong performances, whilst Trusty was perhaps the best of the lot under O’Neill.
Either way, this is how they have been rated by WhoScored:
- Scales’ Premiership games: 17
- Starts: 15
- Total minutes: 1,386
- Goals conceded: 14
- Clean Sheets: 9
- WhoScored rating: 7.14
- Trusty’s Premiership games: 10
- Starts: 8
- Total minutes: 768
- Goals conceded: 6
- Clean Sheets: 6
- WhoScored rating: 7.16
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