Darren O’Dea has argued that Liam Scales offers more to Celtic than Cameron Carter-Vickers, pointing to his consistent availability for selection…
The ex-Hoops defender moved to back Scales, along with Luke McCowan and James Forrest, after the trio’s contract extensions drew a mixed reaction from supporters last week.
Some fans believe the club should be phasing out 34-year-old Forrest, while also questioning whether Scales and McCowan are of the required standard.
However, O’Dea maintains that all three players provide dependability and depth, qualities he believes are vital when assembling a squad – particularly during a period of change like the one Celtic are expected to undergo this summer.
‘Let’s get the best players you possibly can’
Speaking about the renewed deals, the Irishman told Open Goal: “People think building a squad is like ‘let’s get the best players you possibly can’. Which, that’s not to say they aren’t, but there’s so much more to building a squad that comes into it.
“Celtic are about to go through a transition as well. A huge transition. I wouldn’t want to be losing any more people with know-how because they’re going to bring in a lot of new faces.”
‘Being available all the time, that’s a massive strength’
O’Dea added: “Liam Scales is an absolute… you can’t even argue it, like, the guy’s playing all the time. And something I’ve learned as well, which might not be groundbreaking, is you can have a player, just by him being available all the time, that’s a massive strength. If you think Celtic are playing 60 games a year, he’s available all the time. Now fans don’t necessarily want to hear that.”
“He’s a better player than Carter-Vickers now [because he’s fit]. The reality is Carter-Vickers hasn’t contributed this year. And Carter-Vickers has had injuries previously as well. He’s an outstanding footballer. Liam Scales is there all the time. You can rely on him all the time. And I agree, he’s underrated.”
‘McCowan is a squad player…e’s not going to be causing issues behind the scenes’
“McCowan is a squad player that’s come in and knows his role in the team. He’s not going to be causing issues behind the scenes.
“He’s contributed to the team, he’s a good character, knows how to train. The personalities are vital in a squad as well, when you’re traveling all the time. So these guys, I completely understand it. I think it’s really good business. And when you put into context what Celtic are about to have to do in the summer, it would be mental to let go of more know-how out of the middle of that team.”
Conor Spence
2 Comments
What a waste of ink, utter nonsense! By Darren’s reckoning I’ve been too as I’ve not been unfortunate enough to pick up an injury this year!
Darren hardly covered himself in glory with his explanation there imo?
Can totally understand the contract extensions for McCowan and forrest.
Simple enough really, when you take into consideration the 8 homegrown quota requirements within the 25man squad building of a European squad?
In that regards alone, we are potentially at 5 players in Doohan, Murray, Tierney, McCowan and forrest. Still totally not clear upon Calmac, Welsh and ralston at this stage imo?
Donovan is still going to be a B list player next season, and hopefully joined by a few more, currently out on loan, which potentially bulks the squad in 3rd choice options for positions?
Of course standards of players will get questioned, but players have to know there roles within a squad, and able to contribute when called upon, over the course of an entire season.
Our homegrown quota requirements is still an issue, that has been in operation for numerous seasons now, which is hampered massively without a proper development programme available within Scottish football, hence having to use the loan out system, in order to try and get younger players, playing time?
The knock on effect, means getting a taste of more game time at a higher level than lowland league, means are they going to be satisfied with playing the waiting game on very limited game time with ourselves on offer to themselves?
As our own in house development programme still remains at ridiculously poor standards, it remains a huge problem that needs to get addressed, all without simple solutions available within the Scottish game at present imo?
Personally don’t see how any incoming manager, can look at anything else than setting ourselves up as a back 4?
Simple reason is due to what we already have within our club, under contract.
So as your hoping for the strongest partnership within the team, being that of the keeper and 2 CBs, to form stability in the team selection process, along with suitability, rotation and competition in the back up roles?
Personally think having Trusty and scales in the left CB position, are OK, especially with the added bonus of Trusty filling in at the right CB position. Add in CCV and that’s probably your 3CB options on most occasions within a 20man SPFL match day squad imo? So again Murray, even Welsh and rocki only potentially have a backup role available to themselves, with limited game time available? Somehow don’t think Welsh and rocki will be to interested in such a role within our squad building process imo?
Course the quality factor might be called into question, even the fitness concerns surrounding CCV? But there also needs to be some consideration given to the stability factor that’s required also, especially with such a large rebuilding programme expected over the summer?
So with the situation we find ourselves in, regarding the squad building process, haven’t got any real complaints surrounding Scales, McCowan and forrest getting contract extensions, especially when bigger issues remain in place for ourselves in that regards imo?