Celtic’s recent injury crisis has come at an already difficult time of the season. After news broke last night of Maik Nawrocki’s injury, the Celtic fans may be looking forward to Ibrox with a little hint of nervousness.
Nawrocki’s latest update means that Celtic now have four central defenders sitting on the treatment table. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Nawrocki will all be out for a sustained period of time.
And whilst Yuki Kobayashi could be on the verge of returning, we are still left in a precarious position where one more injury to our backline will make the trip to Ibrox in just under two weeks’ time look like mission impossible.
However, with every cloud comes a silver lining. The events of the past week could be a huge opportunity for Hoops defender, Liam Scales, to make his mark in this Celtic team.
The Irishman was one of the first signings of the Ange Postecoglou era. And whilst he only made 13 appearances in his first season, he still managed to score two goals. And to be fair to him, he hardly put a foot wrong either.
The following season was spent on loan at Aberdeen. After a difficult start at Pittodrie, Scales was pivotal in helping The Dons recover from being potential relegation candidates to a third-placed finish and qualifying for European football.
Now, he has returned to Celtic and despite impressing during preseason, Scales has still been heavily tipped to make a permanent move to Barry Robson’s side.
But the tables turn in football. Celtic’s current predicament means that Scales will most likely be thrown in at the weekend to partner Gustaf Lagerbielke and, if all goes well, the Irishman could then be pitched in for the Glasgow Derby at Ibrox.
The next fortnight could provide Scales the chance to turn around his career at Celtic. It can be done. Just look at Anthony Ralston. The Scotland defender found himself in the same situation as Scales two seasons ago and the rest, as they say, is history.
In other news, Why Celtic are not firing on all cylinders under Brendan Rodgers; Charlie Mulgrew nails it
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