Liam Scales turned in an imperious performance for Celtic last weekend as they comprehensively beat Rangers on home soil.
The Irishman maintained a 100% tackle success rate, performed 11 defensive actions, and won six duels, helping his side keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the Scottish Premiership [Fotmob].
Post-match, Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to his compatriot, claiming that he is a critically important fixture in the Celtic side despite not always being heralded the way he deserves.
He stated [BBC Sport]: “He had a fantastic season last season, and sometimes the guys that come in that are either Scottish or from Ireland they might not feel to be the sexiest of players, we might not have signed them for a lot of money, but these guys. I don’t know where we would have been without Liam Scales last year.”
It is true, Scales has been a whipping boy at times while at the club. However, he is rarely injured and never gives less than 100% when selected. Chris Sutton believes his steely qualities are owed some airtime and has spelled out what that could mean amid Auston Trusty’s arrival.
Chris Sutton on Liam Scales’ position at Celtic
In his latest Daily Record column, Sutton believes that new £6 million addition Trusty could face a battle to claim Scales’ slot in central defence as he feels the latter doesn’t deserve to be dropped based on current form.
He explained: “Scales is another who really stepped to the mark. When he went into the team a year ago, it was in answer to an SOS. Rodgers had been clattered by injury issues, and the Irishman, who seemed set to leave the club, was suddenly thrust into the role.
While others kept crying off with knocks, Scales stayed solid throughout the season. Of course, he was a stop-gap solution at the time. In truth, that feeling has never changed amongst some supporters and there has been a clamour for an improvement in his position alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers.”
Later, he finished, stating: “It’s hard to imagine Trusty being signed up to be bench warmer at the cost of £6 million, and there is every chance he could build a really strong partnership with his compatriot Carter-Vickers.
“But he is going to have to prove on the training pitch and in the games that he is a level above the former Shamrock Rovers stopper because that was a performance from Scales which, short term, does not deserve the reward of being dropped.”
Liam Scales continues to defy the doubters
Players being doubted is part of football, but it takes a true professional to ignore that negative sentiment and prove people wrong.
Scales has never wavered, even when some were questioning his form. Others have suffered injury niggles while he has near enough constantly been available during Rodgers’ second tenure, facing the challenge head-on whenever called upon.
Trusty’s arrival can only be a positive in that respect. With two players fighting for every position, the Irishman’s level of performance is only likely to improve further as he defends his place in the side.
Competition is key to breeding the ideal environment for success. Both men will go toe-to-toe in order to play alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers, which is an exciting prospect.
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