Liam Scales hits back at “unfair” Celtic critics ahead of Livingston

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Liam Scales reckons criticism about the lack of leadership within the Celtic squad is unfair as the Bhoys continue to do without captain Callum McGregor.

McGregor is expected to be out until after the upcoming international break with no real clarity on a return timeline after inconclusive scan results.

After losing 2-0 to Hearts last week there has been renewed criticism of these Celtic players and their appetite for a title fight, with some questioning the leadership within the group.

Former defender Alan Stubbs was in the media earlier this week raising that exact point, suggesting that after McGregor there are not many stepping up to show those traits.

For Scales, it’s an observation without merit from those who don’t see how the squad functions together.

Liam Scales on Celtic leadership

The defender said [Scottish Daily Mail, 09/03 print edition]: “People who are saying we are lacking leadership, it’s a bit unfair because they don’t see how we approach games.

“They are not in the dressing room and it’s hard to tell who the leaders are from the outside. But you can see on the pitch who leads the team.

“Cal is obviously massive for us, as a leader and as a player. So when he’s out it puts more responsibility on others in the team to stand up and take that leadership role.

“It’s something I am striving for. I feel it will come with games. From the start of the season until now, I have taken more responsibility.

“At the start, you come in and you just want to do well enough to stay in the team. After a certain amount of games people listen to you a bit more and it’s a part of my game that I am working on.”

It’s hard to read too much into last week’s performance at Tynecastle due to the controversial circumstances.

As a fan, it did feel like Celtic became resigned to their fate in the match and badly missed the influence of a galvanising figure such as McGregor.

The best way for Celtic to shut people up is to produce the goods on the pitch and a confident victory at home to Livingston on Sunday will reset things a bit ahead of another big weekend in the Scottish Premiership.