Charlie Mulgrew reckons Liam Scales is only missing the big name and even bigger price tag to be widely regarded as one of Celtic’s most valuable players.
The former Hoops star insists his fellow defender has stepped up to the plate in the last 12 months to become a priceless part of Brendan Rodgers’ side. But Mulgrew reckons the Irishman still doesn’t get the credit he deserves – probably because he never arrived in a multi-million pound deal. Scales was recruited from Shamrock Rovers for £500,000 three years ago and spent his second season out on loan at Aberdeen.
But having formed a solid partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers under Rodgers the 25-year-old has become a first pick for Celtic and Ireland and was rewarded with a new deal at the start of this year.
Rodgers admitted after last month’s Old Firm win his side would be lost without Scales. And Mulgrew, who had two spells at Parkhead and won five league titles, said: “Liam Scales has been absolutely brilliant since he stepped into the team last season.
“Brendan Rodgers has openly said that he doesn’t know where he would be without him. I think he was nearly out of the door and then he stepped up to the plate.
“Because he’s not a big or foreign name, sometimes people are just waiting for him to make a mistake and looking at the things he doesn’t do, rather than the actual stuff he does bring. I think if they’d signed him for six, seven or eight million, the place would be absolutely raving about him and he would get a lot more credit for what he’s done.”
Scales spent a full year at Pittodrie on loan from Celtic after being farmed out by Ange Postecoglou. And Mulgrew reckons that time away from the club, learning the Scottish game, has been key to his progress. The former Scotland international knows that having come through the ranks at Parkhead as a kid himself.
It was only after leaving for Wolves and then a two-year spell with the Dons that Mulgrew was ready to become a Celtic first team regular under Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila. So he understands exactly where Scales has come from.
Speaking to Gambling.com he said: “It’s very similar to my journey at Celtic, having been a player that came through and then went away and came back through the Scottish Leagues. People are kind of waiting for you to kind of make a mistake and you get the blame straight away. And I think Liam Scales has been there. You look at the injuries to Carter-Vickers and some important defenders at times, and he’s always been the one that’s been there and stepped up to the plate.
“He’s been a top defender. I see a lot of similarities to myself in Liam Scales and I’m happy that he’s doing so well. I came through the academy, went away, came back, and then it was an amazing feeling to play for the team I supported. It was a surreal experience.
“Then scoring against Rangers was a proud, proud moment in my career and something that I’d also dreamt of as a kid. As a young kid growing up in Glasgow you feel that maybe it’s not possible to actually play for Celtic, so to have actually done it and have over 200 appearances, including playing in the Champions League, is something that I’m really proud of. I’m honoured and humbled to have had that opportunity.”
Mulgrew will be watching with interest as his two former clubs put their 100 per cent records on the line at Parkhead tomorrow. It’s been quite some time since a league meeting between Celtic and Aberdeen held such weight.
But the Dons’ sensational start to the season under Jimmy Thelin that’s seen them win all 13 of their games in all competitions has the Red Army dreaming of a successful new era under the Swede. And Mulgrew hopes they get their wish having put much of his own success down to his two seasons in the north east.
He said: “I’m so thankful for my time there. Jimmy Calderwood took me up there and I think I played almost every game. The penny really dropped with me up there on how to be a professional, live my life and properly play games. I needed to get games under my belt, and I’m thankful for that. Also the pressure the fans put on you at that club meant there was a lot of expectation up there.
“That’s why I’m really happy to see them doing so well this year. They’re unbeaten so far this season and that’s absolutely brilliant to see. You saw Nicky Devlin coming on for Scotland and had a great contribution. It just shows you when you get a manager in the door who has a style, sticks to it and is successful then everything kind of has a knock-on effect.
“Jimmy Thelin, has been brilliant so the players will then attract interest for the national team and from other clubs. That’s success. That’s why I want to see Aberdeen continue to do well and challenge right up there at the top of the league. It’s a long season and there’s a lot of games to go, but I’m sure they’ll know that as well.”