The last of the contenders in the fight for the left back position which is currently up for grabs. As previously mentioned, it has been confirmed that Greg Taylor will be absent until at least the beginning of 2022 so with that in mind I wanted to take a look at our options to replace him. I have previously had an in depth look at Josip Juranovic, Boli Bolingoli and Adam Montgomery, highlighting both their strengths and weaknesses in the position.
Now I will examine our most recent acquisition in the position, Irish prospect Liam Scales. A few days before the transfer window slammed shut Celtic parted with around €600,000 to bring Scales in from Irish club Shamrock Rovers, handing him a four year deal.
It was a deal which didn’t move the needle on Celtic fan forums as he was relatively unheard of apart from within some in our Irish fan base who also have an interest in the League of Ireland. Personally I had saw him play for the Ireland under 21s before but he had never stood out to me as one to watch for the future.
Scales story is one of a late developer, a young man who has slowly but surely improved his game from his days staring for UCD in both the League of Ireland first division as well as the Premier Division, while doing a university degree. He then had a trial at Manchester City and then had almost agreed a move to Bristol Rovers before the deal collapsed. He would then end up at Shamrock Rovers who are currently the best team in Ireland.
After a slow start he put in the work and over the two years gradually impressed more and more, especially from the left wing back position becoming one of the best players in the league. This led to his move to Celtic this summer.
Much like fellow young players Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide, both signed from Sheffield Wednesday, Scales was seen more of a long term prospect than a ready made first team player. Personally i think that although he may have signed off on it, there is no way that Ange Postecoglou personally wanted these players. He probably looked at it as a risk free opportunity, if they fail they didn’t cost much in fees or wages and if they were to excel then he has a few bright young talents to add to the first team squad.
Scales has so far only been seen on the pitch once, as a second half substitute in the league cup win against Raith Rovers, were he played the last half hour. It’s hard to take anything from seeing him for 30 minutes in a game we were winning comfortably but all I can say is he didn’t look out of place and it will have done him the world of good to make his debut and get a taste for life as a Celtic player.
Speaking recently to sports website Pundit Arena, Scales said: “I knew it was going to be a step up, and I’m still getting to grips with the system and the way [Ange] wants to play
“It’s another step up in intensity with the kind of levels of fitness levels required.
“I just have to be patient. Once I get my opportunity, it’s important that I take it. That’s all I can really go off. I’m not really used to not playing games so it’s unusual, but I’m enjoying it. I just have to be patient and keep working hard.”
As he says himself, this is a big step up from what he was used to previously so he has to be given time to get to grips with this new challenge he faces. What he may have in the future over some of his rivals for the position is that he is defensively sound, often being utilised as a centre back during his career due to his defensive capabilities.
Unfortunately at the moment I don’t think he’s ready for the step up into the starting eleven. I can see him being used sparingly throughout this season and can possibly even see him being loaned out maybe in January to another Scottish Premiership team to gain experience of the league.
What his past shows though is that he is someone who won’t stop giving 100% in an effort to realise his dream of making it at a big club. Players like Andy Robertson were late developers who never really stood out in their younger years so there is definitely hope yet for someone as dedicated as Scales to make his mark.
In regards to who I personally think should be our left back over the next few months, I think it’s between only two candidates. I feel that it is just too early for both Montgomery and Scales to be handed such an important role in what is shaping up to be hard-fought title race.
I would personally go with either Juranovic or Bolingoli. I actually think it’s hard to separate these two. Both have their positives and negatives. Bolingoli probably edges it going forward as I feel that the fact Juranovic is constantly looking to stop his runs to get the ball onto his right foot to make the cross distrupts the flow of the attack. Yet on the other hand I think Juranovic is the better defensively as Bolingoli is often caught out positionally and can lack concentration off the ball.
As I value defensive capabilities over attacking ones in this position I would have to conclude that I would be happier with Juranovic as our starting left back. What are your own thoughts? Please leave comments below if agree, disagree or think I have been unfair towards any of the candidates.
Conall McGinty
Scales is a baller….end of…..HH
I have a lot of belief in Scales as a player even if he was playing for Shamrock Rovers, where he stood out. A good player is a good player. His qualities stand out. He has a future at Celtic long term. Ange plays the long game as manager and is looking forward, by establishing a good squad foundation. Once he has the players he needs to have a rotation system of players of similar ability and that know how to play his system as soon as they get on the pitch, then Celtic will be a powerhouse club for the next 5 years.
Personally I would like to see two teams of equal ability available to play. One for the home games and one for the away games. Two match fit squads. To do this the manager needs the players. Scales will stay at Celtic.
Scales like a few others is a work in progress whether he makes it or not who knows? I do agree that a loan period to another SPL side is a good option at this stage. Kris Ajer , Calmac are testament to that both returning from their loan periods undoubtedly better players with experience of top flight football and better equipped for the senior Celtic team.
Agree with the author and comments but ideally he should be loaned out to a team with similar style to Celtic. Which team would be close to that?
I’ve watched a lot of Shamrock Rovers game over the years as they’re a club I’ve been interested in for years. My mate Mickey O’ Neill sends me games or game highlights every week and since Liam came into the side about 18 months ago he’s been a stand out. When I heard Celtic were signing him I told all my mates he’s not coming to make up the numbers he’s got genuine quality. I don’t know why Ange is holding him back as he’s played in the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers and never once did he look out of place. I’m frankly astounded that he’s not nailed down the left back position already but maybe he’s not an Ange signing. I’ll say this though he’s better than Taylor, Bolingoli and Montgomery combined and once he does get in it’ll take a good player to remove him, he’s that good in my opinion.
I’m a little bit confused by this article. The headline says Scales is ready but then the author says he’s not in contention.
It also says he has only played against Raith Rovers in the League Cup but actually he was also brought on against Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
As someone who knows this player well, I can assure you he’s our best option at left back and, in my opinion, needs to be starting.