IRELAND AND Celtic defender Liam Scales has been criticised for his performance against Rangers in Thursday’s Old Firm derby.
The ex-Shamrock Rovers centre-back was at fault for the opening goal in the 3-0 loss, giving the ball away in the build-up, and former Gers player-turned-pundit Kris Boyd suggested it was a bad day overall for the Wicklow native.
“I think this was the start of it,” Boyd said on the first goal by Ianis Hagi.
“Liam Scales, I think he had one of his worst performances in a Celtic jersey and that was the start of it there.
“That [goal] kind of set the tone. Rangers were on the front foot asking questions. Celtic really struggled to deal with Rangers, especially in attacking areas today.”
Scales has generally exceeded expectations since breaking into the Celtic side at the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, having initially looked to be on his way out of the club after being sent on loan to Aberdeen the season before.
The 26-year-old has made over 80 appearances for the Bhoys, starring in the Champions League group stages in addition to winning two league titles, two Scottish League Cups and the Scottish Cup in that period.
However, he had some difficult moments this season, with US international Auston Trusty sometimes preferred at centre-back and the Irishman missing out on some big Champions League games.
Scales appeared to win his place back in the starting XI, after impressing off the bench during last month’s League Cup final defeat of Rangers.
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson will be hoping Scales, first choice for his country at centre-back of late, continues to get plenty of time ahead of some crucial World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership table, 11 points clear of their Glasgow rivals, following their first league defeat of the season.
Hope it works out for him, but not sure that’s a great club to go to at the moment.
What is the obsession with English league for Irish players. He had a much better chance of playing champions league if he stayed put.
@Michael Corkery: money talks
@Michael Corkery: He was on 10k a week at Lyon. He’s probably on 5 times that now at Everton
@Michael Corkery: he was sold his former club are up to there ears in financial wowes bit like Brodeaux but not as bad
@Shane: I was reading he was only on 130k a year at Lyon
Great signing for Everton…
Wow thats big
Weird move, unless Braithwaite is being sold. He needs to play, not sit on the bench every week
It’s a real pity, he couldn’t get a move to a bigger side in a different European league like Germany or Italy. There were rumours of Dortmund, Juventus etc…..looking at him or even if he renegotiated his contract at Lyon. He has improved so much on the ball and positionally this season. A move to side like Everton who are perennial strugglers won’t improve him and their style of play won’t improve his game either. Lyon were obviously happy to make a healthy profit on him.