Celtic star Liam Scales has admitted that he was delighted at being given a bigger leadership role at the club…
The Irishman was asked to carry the burden of responsibility at times in the defensive half, as major stalwart Cameron Carter-Vickers was absent for an extended period of time, following a nasty Achilles injury last October.
That left Scales and Carter-Vickers’ countryman Auston Trusty to help steer the team through choppy waters during the rest of the campaign.
There were times when the supporters must have thought we were dead and buried, yet miraculously, Martin O’Neill came back in and found a way alongside Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham to retain our title and secure another Scottish Cup as an added bonus to the main prize.
The Irish defender managed to play the most games he had ever completed in one season since he turned professional, missing just three games in 59 for the Scottish Premiership Champions. Speaking on that major milestone, Scales said: “Last season was the most I’ve ever played in a season. That was partly because we were missing Cam and there were less players to rotate.
“There was less competition there. I did feel like it was a chance for me to step up and take that sort of leadership. Obviously, Auston played a lot and he did the same. It’s a good feeling. Obviously, it’s a shame about how he got injured, but getting that opportunity is great,” Scales revealed via Daily Record.
Martin O’Neill backed his compatriot strongly last term and relied heavily on him at times. The 74-year-old waxed lyrical about the defender when the club secured him on a fresh deal a few months back too, meaning he will be around for the next phase of O’Neill’s rebuilding job.
The confidence and trust between the two is such that Martin even handed Liam the captain’s armband during pre-season, with Callum McGregor missing.
Opening up on this responsibility, the 27-year-old said: “It’s massive. I don’t take it for granted. I know I’m not the club captain. It’s obviously the pre-season friendly and there’s plenty of leaders in the group.
“Callum is incredible at what he does, but to even get the chance to do that, it’s amazing. It feels great. It gives you that extra bit of confidence. It makes you feel a couple of inches taller.
“For me to be one of the ones that he can trust and trust with that sort of responsibility, it’s a nice feeling,” a delighted Scales added.
Having the opportunity to continue under O’Neill’s tutelage now, the ex-Shamrock Rovers defender stated: “I was delighted (about O’Neill’s new deal). I really enjoyed playing for him. I really enjoyed the run we went on and how it all finished.
“It just felt right. I was delighted personally. He gave me a lot of confidence and I felt good playing for him. That’s all you really want as a player.”
Meanwhile, Scales also confirmed the messaging is simpler now under Martin, as opposed to the period under Wilfried Nancy.
“Yes, I suppose what he wants defenders to do is defend first. You do have Shaun and Fozzy and Mick and the coaches. We also know we need to be good on the ball as well. I just think his main thing is defenders defend first.
“All the centre-halves know we need to get both sides of the game well to play here. I’m hoping to improve on both ends, definitely,” Scales confirmed.
Paul Gillespie
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