Celtic’s win over Dundee United on Saturday was packed with improved performances, as well as goals.
In Martin O’Neill’s first game since returning to his interim role, Celtic went back to basics, controlling the game in almost its entirety.
After Wilfried Nancy’s failed 3-4-3 experiment, it was a refreshing return to form. Reports on training under Nancy were released a few days prior, illustrating just how ill-fated the appointment was.
Across the Frenchman’s 33 days, Celtic had to fit a fair few square pegs in round holes, leading to some pretty wacky team selections.
And Charlie Mulgrew feels that one man, who was dropped by Nancy, was back to his best on Saturday in a more simple role under O’Neill.
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Charlie Mulgrew on Liam Scales and Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
Liam Scales had to earn his place as a starter at Celtic. After his breakthrough under Brendan Rodgers, many in the support weren’t having him.
However, in a Celtic team riddled with inconsistency in the opening weeks of the season, Scales’ defensive security made him one of the most important contributors in the team.
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Nancy’s emphasis on wide centre-backs getting forward led to Scales overlapping in the final third, making… interesting viewing.
Mulgrew, speaking on The Breakdown, praised his Dundee United performance saying: “Scales is the prime example for me, mate.
“He was Celtic’s best player so far this season. Nancy comes in and he gets dropped. [Nancy] said he was rested, he was dropped. Three or four games he never played.
“He wasn’t playing to his strengths. You can see, he’s a defender. He’s the best defender that Celtic have got at the moment.
“I just think that you seen him on Saturday, back to his comfortable best. Knew his job, simplified it.
“I used to say it to myself before the game, and my fellow centre half. ‘Let’s just kick it and head it today. Whatever else is a bonus.’
“It was almost giving yourself permission to be simple, Like Martin O’Neill does. Then, anything else is a bonus.
“I think with Scales, whatever he was doing up on the left wing, I just didn’t think suited him.”
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Liam Scales and Auston Trusty: Celtic’s long-term defensive partnership?
When Auston Trusty was brought to Glasgow from Sheffield United for £6 million, he was widely seen as Scales’ long-term replacement.
However, with Cameron Carter-Vickers’ worsening injury issues culminating in a long-term injury sustained against Sturm Graz, the pair have now built an impressive partnership under O’Neill.
Celtic are reportedly still after a right-sided centre-back, despite recalling Stephen Welsh from Motherwell.
But if Scales and Trusty keep performing how they have across the two interim spells, it won’t be easy for anyone to displace either of them.
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