Liam Scales believes the penalty awarded against him in Celtic’s 2-1 victory over St Mirren was “harsh” after an eventful night for the Hoops defender in Paisley.
Martin O’Neill’s side fell behind in the first half when Chris Mochrie’s effort struck Scales’ right arm inside the penalty area, with referee Ryan Lee pointing to the spot.
🗣️ Scales on “accidental” and “harsh” penalty
©️ McGregor lays out Celtic demands to squadHear from Liam Scales and captain Callum McGregor on Celtic’s win over St Mirren, plus “really important” Yang, who heads to the Asian Games soon ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/9oXe3esl29
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 5, 2026
Nikolas Agrafiotis converted to give the hosts the lead, but Scales went from villain to hero after the break by glancing home Celtic’s equaliser on 51 minutes before Hyun-jun Yang completed the turnaround shortly afterwards.
“The captain and manager spoke at half-time and we knew we had to get better in the second half,” Scales told Sky Sports post-match. “We improved and that paid off after the break as got the goals and the points.
“My own night? It was up and down wasn’t it?
“It was accidental for the penalty but I thought it was harsh. Maybe my arm was too high but I have to see it back. I was just relieved to get the goal and get the win.”
The victory maintained Celtic’s perfect domestic start and moved them five points clear of St Mirren at the Premiership summit.
O’Neill admitted his side had been second best for a spell during a difficult opening half but was pleased with the response after the interval.
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2 Comments
Nothing really harsh about the decision to award the peno against us imo?
It was a comedy of errors beforehand that led to the peno, that should be a bigger concern imo?
Sinisalo getting his positioning all wrong, and still seems to have a potential problem with the low shot to his left hand side still imo?
Still would question as to why there was no-one protecting the edge of the area better, within the set up of defending corners better imo?
Even moreso if scales is winning the first header, and expected to close down the shot at goal also?
Regardless, only scales knows as to why he started off, with the hands behind his back and then changed?
Can understand the natural reaction from the shot?
But always regarded scales as a lad more than willing to take one for the team, so was surprised by his reaction?
But isn’t the first time scales has been leaving the arm out within our box either?
But always like to see players respond from setbacks during matches?
So delighted when scales did with the goal, as shows great character within his game imo?
Still remain unconvinced with scales as LB, especially if we are trying to play on the front foot?
Especially as think scales is the better option besides CCV, than trusty upon current form imo?
So will be interesting to see what MoN has in mind for scales upon a potential sence for Wednesday?
Scales is always liable to give away a penalty or own goal.
The St Mirren penalty was a stone waller.