Liam Scales earns huge praise from Celtic legend Chris Sutton after starring in Old Firm win over Rangers

LIAM SCALES earned huge praise from Celtic legend Chris Sutton after starring in their Old Firm win over Rangers.

The Wicklow-native defender played a pivotal role as Brendan Rodgers’ men beat Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox on Sunday.

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Liam Scales earned huge praise from Celtic legend Chris Sutton after starring in their Old Firm win over Rangers.

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It was just his second appearance of the season, having started in their draw to St. Johnstone last weekend.

Despite this, the 25-year-old defender impressed alongside Gustaf Lagerbielke, who joined the Bhoys this summer.

Chris Sutton, who won four league titles and was part of the Celtic team that got to the UEFA Cup final in 2003, was impressed by the former Arklow Town and UCD star.

He said: “Well played Liam Scales.

“A lot of focus on the Celtic back line with key players out but so much to be admired about his performance.

“Barely put a foot wrong.”

His sentiment was echoed by former Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Scales was outstanding, on his Glasgow derby debut.

“I thought he was very composed on the ball. His positioning was brilliant. I thought he handled the game absolutely brilliantly, so huge kudos to the kid.

“I’m not convinced that it’s going to be the centre back pairing (Scales and Gustaf Lagerbielke) going forward, but that’s a huge feather in their caps today.”

Scales has had to bide his time to get consistent chances to impress since signing for Celtic from Shamrock Rovers in 2021.

He moved to Scotland for a League of Ireland record transfer fee and scored his first goal within six minutes of his league debut.

However, he only made 13 appearances in his first season, including five in the Scottish Premiership before going on loan to Aberdeen for 2022/23.

Scales found his feet at the Pittodrie under Jim Goodwin and, then, Barry Robson as he played 39 times for Aberdeen, including 27 times in the league as they finished third.

At international level, Scales was regular part of the Republic of Ireland U21s under Stephen Kenny, and earned his first senior call-up from the ex-Dundalk boss after moving to Celtic.

He has since been called up again by Kenny in September 2022 to replace the injured Andrew Omobamidele for the UEFA Nations League against Scotland and Armenia.

However, he is yet to win his first senior international cap.