Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for the former Shamrock Rovers man after his display against Rangers.
The Celtic and Ireland international says he is happy to play ugly as long as that keeps him in the starting-11. Rodgers made the remarks after Scales put in a sensational defensive display during the Bhoys 3-0 thumping of Glasgow rivals Rangers last weekend.
READ MORE:League of Ireland clubs set for massive windfall with proposed doubling of UEFA solidarity paymentsThe former Shamrock Rovers man dominated the defensive third and won 100 percent of his duels. His performance was hailed by his club boss, who said: “I don’t know where we would have been without Liam Scales last year.” Rodgers added: “Sometimes the guys that come in that are either Scottish or from Ireland they might not feel to be the sexiest of players, we might not have signed them for a lot of money.Scales was delighted to come into the international break on the back of a big Old Firm win - and with his manager’s praise ringing in his ears. “I take a bit of offence to it,” he joked. “No, if you read the article the headline was kind of taken out of context a bit. “He was talking about the players from Ireland or Scotland or the UK in general, the fans don’t find them as glamorous as signing a player from Spain or Italy.“Sometimes fans get more excited about players from elsewhere and that’s football but to hear that I am a crucial part of it is brilliant.” Indeed, criticism of British and Irish players can often be louder, while praise tends to be more muted, when compared to reactions to so-called glamour foreign signings. But there can be no doubting Scales’ contribution across his 45 appearances in league, cup and the Champions League last season, as the Bhoys claimed the Premiership and Scottish Cup double. They have started this season with five wins from five in the league and League Cup, with 15 goals scored and just one conceded - in a 3-1 League Cup win over Hibernian. It’s the kind of form that will put a skip in your step ahead of a massive international derby against England. “It's been a great start, we started the reason really well, I am happy with how I am doing personally and the team,” said Scales. “We have had a near perfect start, we’ve not conceded a goal in the league and into the next round in the League Cup, five wins in five games is a good start.” Naturally, comparisons have been made between last weekend’s fixture and this weekend’s one - an Old Firm derby and as close to it on the international stage as you can get.“There is a bit of history and stuff so it’s brilliant to have them fixtures back to back, and hopefully we can get a good result now as well.” He added: “I think the players know how big this is for us and I’m sure during the rest of the week, that will be reminded to us by the staff. “It is important to keep your discipline and not let your emotions get the better of you as at the end of the day, it’s a game of football and you want 11 players on the pitch to have the best chance of winning the game regardless of who you are playing against and the rivalry that’s there or whatever. “Obviously I can take the experience of playing against Rangers but it is a little bit different so just treat it like a match and that’s it.” The biggest difference between last weekend and this is the amount of time that the players have had with the manager - particularly when a new manager is trying to put his stamp on the team. Scales and his teammates have only had a few days to get to know Heimir Hallgrímsson and to come to terms with his demands for Saturday’s Nations League fixture.“Here it's got to be everyone in and straight at it, take it all on board as quickly as possible. “That's what we are doing, trying to get the information, the way we want to play, bring that into the game on the weekend and hopefully we'll get a good result.“Just be compact defensively and not be open, work as a unit. “Tactically I can't say too much but be compact and difficult to break down, defending our space well and working as a chain in our unit.” Scales knows that he has an edge over some of his fellow defenders when it comes to team selection - and he believes he is only getting better as a player.“But the manager is going to pick what he thinks is the strongest team and there is massive competition in that area. “Four centre-halves are playing in the Premier League, so it’s strong, but that will bring the best out of our players because it is competitive and that’s what will bring the best out of everyone. “I just have to hope that I get the nod and if not I will still be ready to make an impact off the bench if I’m needed.”
Please follow us on Google to support usLiam Scales Brendan Rodgers Old Firm Rangers FC Shamrock Rovers FC Republic Of Ireland National Football Team Heimir Hallgrimsson
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