Charlie Mulgrew states how Liam Scales would be viewed by Celtic fans if he was Italian

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There is now a lot of onus on Liam Scales at Celtic.

That’s because of Cameron Carter-Vickers’ long-term injury and how he isn’t expected to be back this season. 

It provides Scales with an ample chance to really prove his worth at the heart of Celtic’s defence, because it hasn’t been all rosy, according to Charlie Mulgrew.

Despite the Republic of Ireland’s strong start to the campaign, Mulgrew feels that Scales is still trying to win people over with his performances.

• READ MORE: Who is Liam Scales? Meet Celtic’s Irish-speaking centre-back

Liam Scales’ ‘underdog story’ at Celtic

In 2023, it looked and felt like Scales had no career at Celtic, but then injuries and Brendan Rodgers’ return paved a way for his career to change.

Speaking on Go Radio, Mulgrew feels the 27-year-old’s path in recent years has been an ‘underdog story.’

The former Scotland defender added that, if Scales was Italian and worth ‘£5 million’, then he would be much more appreciated and viewed differently in the eyes of his critics.

“It’s an underdog story, isn’t it?” said Mulgrew. “It’s not a player the Celtic fans wanted to see being the main centre-back. 

“The minute he makes a slight mistake. He’s the first name people say, ‘Scales isn’t good enough. He can’t defend the back post.’

“The scary bit about it is, if he was an Italian defender and he was signed for £5 million. What would we be talking about? We would be talking about how good this guy is. He’s brilliant.”

Scales’ rise amid Cameron Carter-Vickers’ struggles

As mentioned above, Carter-Vickers won’t play again this season, but when he was fit, Mulgrew thinks the American wasn’t even playing to his high standards.

That’s why Mulgrew wanted to point out the high number of points Scales has won Celtic this term.

“I have spoken about him for the last couple of years now,” added Mulgrew. “I think he is a very good defender.

“I think the number of points he has won Celtic this year, in terms of keeping clean sheets. Heading balls out of the box. Defending the box when others haven’t been quite at it. 

“Carter-Vickers hasn’t been quite himself this year. Scales’ mentality is to keep it simple. The right pass. The right weight. At the right time. Just defend that area and do my job.”