Liam Scales made the decision in the summer to swap one set of Hoops for another as the Wicklow man made the move from Shamrock Rovers to Celtic in a deal thought to be worth €600,000. The signing wasn’t one that caught the imagination of the vast majority of Celtic fans during a summer where new signings arrived at a frantic pace, as Ange Postecoglou tried to assemble a squad capable of fighting for trophies at home and in Europe.
After a somewhat quiet start where the Irishman struggled for game time many saw the injury to Greg Taylor as his opportunity to shine but unfortunately for Scales his manager preferred to go with Croatian right back Josip Juranovic in that role for the most part during that period. Since then however he has become the number one backup to Taylor, fending off the challenge of both Boli Bolingoli and Adam Montgomery in the process, making a positive impression when he has been used by Ange Postecoglou.
Someone who isn’t surprised by the left backs ascension into the first team reckoning is Scales former manager Stephen Bradley, who worked with him at Dublin based Shamrock Rovers before his move to Glasgow in the summer. Bradley revealed to Irish newspaper the Independent that he expects his former player to improve further as his career with Celtic progresses.
“I think to people outside and who didn’t know him or this league, he’s ahead of expectations but for me he’s right where I’d see him and I think there’s more to come from him.
“I think when he’s settled – I know he’s settled there – but when he gets used to everything around him, the environment and how they train, the league, the demands of it, I think they’ll see Liam go to another level.
“I was never in any doubt that Liam could go and play at a really high level and he’ll go again. His ability will obviously allow him that but it’s more his attitude and mentality that will really allow him to push on. He’s done really well and the way we play and they play, it’s been an easy transition for him, he’s doing really well and long may it continue.”
Bradley has kept in close contact with Scales and revealed that he spoke to the young defender about how his fantastic strike against Raith Rovers on Sunday mirrored a goal he scored against Dundalk last year from the perspective of how he joined the attack. He claims the similar style that Scales was asked to play while at Shamrock Rovers is now standing him in good stead as he contributes to Celtic’s attacking play.
“You look at his goal the other night against Raith and his goal against Dundalk, they are very similar positions, and Celtic play with a four and we play with a three.
“I had a good conversation with Liam before that game and afterwards and he says he hasn’t found it in any way difficult because it’s the exact same principles as here.”
During 12 appearances for Celtic this season Scales has contributed impressively from left back, providing two goals and two assists which is a fantastic return for someone playing in that position. Those stats actually better those of the man regarded as the number one in the left back role Greg Taylor, which is even more impressive as Scales has played less games than the Scotland international.
Scales is someone who could be regarded as a late bloomer so it will be interesting to see if he can continue to progress further and get into the position where he makes manager Ange Postecoglou rethink who his number one choice at left back is.
Conall McGinty
Great article I think big Scalels big will become a first team regular by the end of the season. With a few medals also. Hail Hail