Celtic defender Liam Scales has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence this term after emerging as an unexpected first-team regular.
The Republic of Ireland international was close to a permanent deal at Aberdeen last year following a successful loan stint at Pittodrie. However, an injury crisis led Scales to become a regular beside Cameron Carter-Vickers, leaving any notion of a departure now a distant memory.
In the case of Carter-Vickers, despite his season being on and off due to injuries, the USA international has made 28 appearances in all competitions; meanwhile, Scales has featured on 41 occasions, with various defensive partners in his absence [Transfermarkt].
When both are fit, they appear to be Brendan Rodgers’ favoured defensive pairing, and that will likely continue for the remainder of the campaign to instil continuity in the Irishman’s backline during the final stretch of fixtures.
Neither of summer signings Maik Nawrocki nor Gustaf Lagerbielke has been able to lock down a consistent run in the side, whereas Stephen Welsh has endured fitness struggles of his own throughout.
Now, with more or less a clean bill of health, Rodgers has the ideal tools at his disposal ahead of a crunch Glasgow Derby encounter this weekend, which could put his side on the brink of Scottish Premiership glory, all going to plan.
Liam Scales sees teammate Carter-Vickers as a future coach
Scales and Carter-Vickers have built up a great rapport on the pitch this season, and appear to have a detailed understanding of each other’s attributes, which can help the duo to split defensive duties and keep the opposition from generating offensive momentum.
Cited via The Herald, the former has lauded his partner’s deep understanding of the game, putting forward a suggestion that Carter-Vickers could one day make the step into due to his football intelligence and analytical eye.
He stated: “He’s brilliant, and we have a lot of discussions about football. He is one who loves analysing the game. You wouldn’t think it, you’d think he just goes through games and that’s him, but he analyses everything.
“His football intelligence is through the roof, so I’m learning a lot from him every week. Just minor things, adjusting little positions, ways to deal with different attackers, and he’s been brilliant.
“He’s a top player. You think he just gets on, gives a solid performance and that’s it for him, but he thinks a lot deeper about the game than a lot of people might think. He’s a proper analyst himself.”
Scales then answered when asked about whether he could ever go into coaching: “I think so! I don’t think he thinks so himself but I could definitely see him going into a role like that (in the future). He’s got plenty of years left now, though, and I want to continue playing with him because he’s brilliant.”
Cameron Carter-Vickers offers stability for Celtic
Carter-Vickers clearly puts a lot of meticulous thought into his decisions on the pitch, which probably explains why he is so reliable in a Celtic jersey.
Very rarely do you see the 26-year-old put a foot wrong, and without his presence, Rodgers’ men struggle to replicate his intensity and aggression at the back.
Now fully fit, expect Carter-Vickers to lead the charge as Celtic aim to push their dream of a domestic double over the line.