James McFadden handed Liam Scales his flowers for his performances in Celtic colours this season.
If it wasn’t for injuries at the start of the season, then Liam Scales wouldn’t have been handed the chances and starts that he was by Brendan Rodgers.
It could be argued that Celtic would have probably loaned him out again, but when your chances arrive, you have to take it.
And the Republic of Ireland star did that in the best way that he could, with James McFadden now saying that he ‘belongs in this Celtic side’, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport (28/11/23 at 5:40 pm).
The fact that Celtic have on-loan Liverpool star Nat Phillips sat on the bench and not playing, says it all.
As of this moment, the best centre-back pairing at Parkhead is Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers, although, they wouldn’t want to watch back the defeat to Lazio in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Either way, James McFadden was full of praise for Liam Scales and the performances he is putting in at this level because he has been the surprise package of the team.
Liam Scales’ performances for Celtic
“I think if you aren’t able to put out your strongest team, there is always going to be concerns,” said McFadden.
“The defence and touching on the Liam Scales situation, he has been excellent and it looks like he belongs in this Celtic side and playing at this level.”
Harsh lessons in the Champions League
In terms of Scales’ play on the ball and his bravery, he is being aggressive and trying to push that ball forward, as he proved in Rome on Tuesday night.
But against a goalscorer of the quality of Ciro Immobile, he just proved to be too good for Celtic’s backline during his cameo from the bench.
That movement was of the highest level and it’s a harsh lesson someone like Scales is learning.
Overall, the performances in Europe just weren’t acceptable, but that’s because there is a long-term issue at the club that needs addressing.
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