Liam Scales is often judged against his central defensive partner, the impeccable Cameron Carter-Vickers. It is only when Cameron is out and we see Liam as the senior partner in defence that we get to appreciate the gap between him and those aspiring to replace him.
After around a year as first choice at Shamrock Rovers, Liam arrived in Glasgow three years ago and played a handful of games in his first season, before going on loan to Aberdeen.
Jim Goodwin took him there but was sacked after their historic Scottish Cup defeat at Darvel. That game was live on TV and we got to see Liam play right side of a back three; it is no wonder Goodwin didn’t make the cut. Barry Robson got the Aberdeen gig and came close to securing Liam on loan for another season, before an injury crisis at Celtic stopped the move going through.
The pivot which took place in Liam’s career late August 2023 was incredible. Liam was called into the team after Kilmarnock dumped us out of the League Cup for a home game against St Johnstone. Celtic were poor, St Johnstone took a point back to Perth with them, and Liam was repeatedly caught out by the ball over the top. One occasion late in the game almost produced a breakthrough for Saints.
We went to Ibrox the following weekend with some predicting a thrashing. With a weakened side, Celtic lost 3-0 there a few months earlier. It was not just Liam who would pivot that day, the whole of Scottish football did, but Liam was an absolute rock in defence.
He is never going to be Cameron Carter-Vickers, but when you see him alongside others, you know that Brendan will need to bring in an exceptional player to replace him. A month after scoring his first Champions League goal, he scored his first international goal for Ireland in a win in Finland last night.
We have developed a genuine player; credit to all involved.
239 Comments- Pages:
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HH
Friday!
Act accordingly.
Yes, you at the back as well.
Vale Bhoy on top!
Peter Cormack has died. A fine player. RIP
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgrypn09zgxo
“Brendan” is this an editorial oversight
Hatate flies halfway round the world again for nothing,he should chuck it until Japan get a new manager
Successive silvers for Aipple. I don’t like that pattern.
Forrest missed Scotland training today
THE BATTERED BUNNET
Must try harder.
Aipple pipped
Liam scales new heights!
Good to have a goal threat from our centre halves again as well, it feels like it’s been a while.
We’ll struggle to get better, Dara O’Shea who was fancied to be an upgrade on Liam cost Ipswich 15m and looked less assured last night according to reports.
BSR
lol
these international breaks are an abomination. Sitting here on a Friday we should be anticipating a full league card to get excited about. instead.
Scap the league cup, play internationals mid week, play competitive games only reducing the amount of fixtures,
l
Bella Ciao: a brief history of the resistance anthem sung to Viktor Orbán
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/11/bella-ciao-resistance-anthem-history-meps-strasbourg-viktor-orban
CCV is not impeccable
That’s like saying Pope Francis is infallible
Hrvatski Jim on 11th October 2024 11:48 am
Peter Cormack has died. A fine player. RIP
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgrypn09zgxo
Saddened to hear that jim,he fought a long battle against Dementia.i was watching highlights of him getting a man of match performance in a friendly vs Real Madrid(extended highlights on willie callow)as a 17 year old
https://x.com/RealPeteCormack/status/1305600109946769409?s=19
Peter Cormack RIP 🙏
HH
The change jnto a centre half so late on in his career is pretty remarkable. Before the season at Aberdeen when he played only as a CB he played as left back or left mid for Celtic and Ireland with only a few senior games in the centre of defense.
Proof that development can come at any stage of your career if you’re prepared to work and learn and you have the right environment to do it in.
AURORABOREALIS79 @ 12:06 PM,
“Brendan” is this an editorial oversight
Well the last time we saw such an improvement in CHs it was young Ajer and the more mature Dedryck Boyata
So, P67 could be onto something…
Hail Hail
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CHAIRBHOY on 11TH OCTOBER 2024 12:42 PM
Agreed, both great examples of Celtic managers doing their jobs well, Lenny with Ajer and Brendan with Boyata.
Ajer particularly benefitted from careful planning from Celtic, and it’s not a dissimilar story to Liam. Kris went on loan to Killie as a Centre mid and came back a centre half
Although I’m not sure Boyara was managed as well as Kris. Refusing him his move cost us dear when he refused to play in the CL qualifiers and eventually left us for nothing
‘He is never going to be Cameron Carter-Vickers…’
Maybe. But he seems to incur far fewer injuries and is the most combative and improved player in a Celtic top. Delighted to have seen him ignore the brickbatters to become an automatic starter.
Auston has a real task on his hands if he want to displace the increasingly valuable Scalesy.
On a more sombre topic, i was teary over the new doco by AlJazeera’s Investigative Unit, just called ‘Gaza’.
I don’t seek a political stoush but at a human-level, its a fugin heartbreaking record of a nation’s annihilation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPE6vbKix6A
Forrest out of Scotland Squad
DAVID66
How is the knee doing, getting better I hope.
My wife is going on Monday to have a new knee and I was wondering about the various pain levels, starting from immediately after etc and how long before she will be mobile again.
I would appreciate your help please.
KINGLuBO
KL- I got a full knee replacement in Golden Jubilee 3 years ago and got the latest robotic surgery,rehab is fairly brutal and slow,take as much pain relief as you need,tramadol at night time helps you sleep. For about 3-4 weeks you need a hand to get about and do normal things like making a cup of tea,as you are on crutches, stick to the exercise programme as best you can ,good luck
“We have developed a genuine player; credit to all involved”
Agreed.
Two biggest contributions should be called out.
The manager. When fans incl. me didn’t see it or believe it Brendan stubbornly stuck with Liam. He saw something and did what he does best.
Elevate the unfashionable or the ugly ducklings. There’s something almost beautifully Christian about it.
Liam himself. A still from US training was doing the rounds in the summer.
Liam has been in the gym. His shoulders and arms are clearly more muscular than before.
(Take note Greg).
I assume his core is equally more defined.
This has helped Liam on three fronts.
That power has made him quicker.
Not hugely, perhaps a ½ yard but that can be the difference between getting to the ball first and second.
His stronger core is helping to mitigate his naturally high centre of gravity. (He’s a long bodied bloke).
The cheeky hip bumps he took from wide boy centre forwards like Shankland are happening less frequently.
His increased power and balance are making him much better in the air.
His initial positioning is better, he can hold that position more effectively against a barge, and his spring is NOTICEABLY more powerful.
St Stivs did you see my messages of past 2 days?
HH
Liam can’t rest on his laurels.
He needs to go again.
But right now his increased confidence is apparent.
I think he feels comfortable in this company now.
As a result he panics less and relaxes more.
Will improve further with experience.
One suggestion Liam.
Get a tight hair cut and tight beard cut along the lines of De Niro.
Move away
FROM gentle, kind, lumbering, Irish farm boy
TO mean, nasty, not to be messed with MF !
While you’re at it?
Give one of those wee turds who’ve ragdolled you in the past a full force sore one …
… and enjoy it.
Celtic Mac on 11th October 2024 12:30 pm
CCV is not impeccable
That’s like saying Pope Francis is infallible
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Pope is infallible.
BADABING
Cheers for that, sounds grim, but surely worth a short term aggro for walking ability in the future.
How is the knee now. Wife had a half knee 8 years ago, not good at all, hence the need for a total new one.
Appreciate your response truly
KINGLuBO
KL- It was bone on bone,pain was excruciating, couldn’t walk 25 yards without stopping, better now but still not as good as I thought, still got swelling above the knee,and can’t bend it fully, need to keep walking to avoid the other one getting done……all the best
scullybhoy
Only in matters of theology, and which football clubs he invites to the Vatican….
CELTIC40ME @ 1:02 PM,
We, you’re kinda misremembering.
Just remember Lenny for all his great work never developed a young Celtic player…
No, Ajer was brought in by Ronny who knew the lad, as a dm, as you say.
It was under BR&Co that Kris changed to a CH, went out on loan to Kilmarnock, became a Norwegian International and signed a new four year deal with Celtic.
Fair play to him though, although several of that side downed tools during Lenny Mk2, Ajer never did.
Hail Hail
Just one wee word of caution re Liam Scales.
He had a great 4-5 months at the start of last season and was doing well in Jobo’s POTY competition but had a much weaker second half of the season. I recall Ryan Christie, when he was at Aberdeen and with us having similar good season starts and a difficult middle and end.
At the moment Liam is playing very well indeed and has seen off all competitors for his place.
Even the Borgia’s?.Vatican was a cesspit in the middle ages.Popes having kids by the dozen.The Reformation,brought about in part,by the corruption,emanating from the Vatican
Infallible?.Aye right.
And King Charles is Gods annointed !!!.
It is 2024,right?.
Liam has the occasional mistime of the high ball up the middle.Apart from that 🤔,nope can’t think of anything.
Big Trustyhas done well in the league games.Been faultless really.
They was terrified of relegation and lashed out.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c33v274e7vdo
No wonder they was terrified of relegation.
Check out their 2023 turnover (premier league) compared to 2022 (championship)
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/nottingham-forest-finances-202223