Pundit hails ‘unbelievable’ Scales boost as Celtic rocked by more injury blows
Paddy Kenny has hailed Liam Scales after making an “unbelievable” impact during his first league game as a Celtic player.
The former Leeds United stopper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insists the defender will benefit after taking a potentially career-defining moment by the scruff of the neck.
Scales, 23, scored on his first Premiership outing, adding Celtic’s third in a 3-0 win over Dundee United on 5 December.
He joined Celtic last summer (2021) after making 51 appearances for Shamrock Rovers.
Ahead of the Dundee United clash, Scales had made nine appearances for the Hoops but none of them came in the league.
Kenny insists Scales’ should be handed more appearances over the coming weeks.
“What a moment for him, unbelievable,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“It’s a massive boost for him and for Celtic. There are major injury concerns at Celtic at the moment.
“This is the time when a player can stake a claim. You get these opportunities in football.
“It might come through a teammate being injured, which is never nice, but you have to take that chance.
“You might only get one chance like that, he couldn’t have wished for a better start.
“I hope he gets a few more chances to show what he can do, he’s certainly earned that.
“How good is it for Celtic to have a player come in and immediately impress?
“I imagine the manager was delighted with that, I’m looking forward to seeing how he does over the next few weeks.”
Scales played the full 90 minutes as Celtic beat Real Betis on Thursday (9 December).
This was his third outing in the Europa League.
In other news, Celtic are plotting to replace a 2021 signing already after a Sky update.