Charlie Mulgrew, a former Parkhead hero, believes the defender is a contender for the top award.
Liam Scales has demonstrated play that Charlie Mulgrew thinks makes him a strong candidate for Player of the Year.
Mulgrew, a former star player for Parkhead and Scotland, believes the Irish defender deserves a lot of credit for seizing his opportunity and earning manager Brendan Rodgers’ complete trust as he approaches a new contract extension at Celtic. In Glasgow’s East End, one of the campaign’s success stories thus far is Scales’ exceptional work this season.
In just five months, the 25-year-old has gone from being an emergency option because of an injury crisis in the fall to becoming an important player of the team. Due to his outstanding play, Rodgers has been a regular starter in the Champions League and at home. The club and his advisors are currently in the process of negotiating a new contract.
Rodgers has revealed that agreement is likely to be sealed “in due course” after the player’s terrific run of consistent performances. Mulgrew said: “That’s good to hear. He’s a good player who has done well for Celtic and is possibly one of the players of the year.
“He’s surprised everyone greatly, but when the opportunity has presented itself, he has seized it with gusto. It may occasionally require an injury here or there. Or you have to wait for that opportunity if you are a little lower on the pecking order.
“Liam did that, and it might have come as a surprise as it appeared that he might be moving out on loan—possibly to Aberdeen. However, he has persevered, seizing the opportunity, and seizing it wholeheartedly. Bravo to him; he has been among Celtic’s greatest players this year, and the essence of football is seizing opportunities when they present themselves.
It’s a chance which seemed to have grown unlikely. Scales initially struggled to make the major breakthrough at Parkhead, having been signed from Shamrock Rovers at the beginning of the Ange Postecoglou reign. Unable to gain regular action for the Aussie boss, the Irishman headed to Aberdeen on loan last term.
With Celtic then splashing money on summer recruits such as Maik Nawrocki and Gustaf Lagerbielke upon Rodgers’ return, Scales looked set for a second temporary spell at Pittodrie – but an injury crisis opened the door which Scales surged through. Mulgrew, who had two spells with the Hoops after working up through the youth system, knows it is a tough task to get the chances and stay in the set-up, with the club constantly on the hunt for new faces and big-money arrivals regularly entering the building.
Mulgrew stated, “It’s difficult, but you just have to keep training away and hope that opportunity comes,” when Scales made it through. Like I mentioned, it might require an injury or something.
“You must persevere even if you haven’t been selected for teams, have been benched, or it appears the team wants you to go on loan. Sometimes you need that to have a little respite, but you also need to be mentally strong enough to take action when the time comes.
Of course, results are everything as well. When you join a team, people automatically look at you if the group is not producing the desired outcomes. In one of his first significant games at Ibrox, he performed brilliantly against the Rangers and has kept clean sheets. What a test, and he passed it with flying colors.
In addition to gaining him prominence on the international stage, Scales’ work for Celtic also allowed him to make his full debut for the Republic of Ireland during his brief tenure. Mulgrew went on, “He possesses every quality. With the way Celtic want to play, it’s critical that he maintains composure when handling the ball.
“It’s critical that Celtic have center halves who can defend well and are composed while handling the ball. When the ball enters his box, he heads it because he appears to have a keen sense of danger. That may sound very simple when you say it, but those are the qualities needed to succeed for Celtic.
Scales is similar to Mulgrew in size, poise while handling the ball, and left-handed skill; the former Scotland international is aware of this. “I have mentioned in previous interviews that it brings back memories of my time there, and it is encouraging to see him play left-sided center-half and the way he joined the team,” the man stated.
With the contract extension, Scales is now poised to cap off the current run, and Rodgers fully supports him in achieving that goal. The manager has not wavered in his respect for the defender, who has shown to be a great teammate to first-choice Cameron Carter-Vickers and capable of leading the backline when the American is sidelined owing to fitness concerns.
Mulgrew stated: “It’s encouraging to have the manager’s support, but Liam deserves credit for earning their confidence as well. A boss will choose you if you earn his or her trust because it shows confidence in you.
With the injuries to center halves like Carter-Vickers, Liam has emerged as one of the first names on the squad sheet. He may be one of the players of the year thus far because of how well he has performed for Celtic.
