Cameron Carter-Vickers has heaped praise on defensive partner Liam Scales, saying the Irishman deserves full credit for cementing his place in the Celtic backline this season.
The Irish international has probably been Celtic’s player of the season so far. He’s really stood out in the Hoops team.
Starting alongside CCV, the pair have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of Brendan Rodgers’ defence, helping the Hoops keep eight clean sheets in 13 matches.
Speaking to Celtic TV ahead of Celtic’s trip to Dundee, Carter-Vickers said:
“Scalesy has done great. I think, especially a club of this size and with these demands, if you’re in the team consistently, you’re obviously doing a lot of things right.
“He has been and he’s continuing to improve. I think he reads the game well.
“Having played so much beside together, we now understand each other’s games and can almost play without having to really communicate too much.
“He’s good on the ball, clean on the ball and a good passer.”
Scales, who spent time out on loan at Aberdeen and was widely expected to leave Celtic permanently, has turned his fortunes around with consistent, commanding displays and now looks to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
With Auston Trusty, a £6m signing, still fighting to get into the XI, it’s a testament to Scales’ form and focus that he’s kept his place alongside Carter-Vickers.
He’s really stepped up and proved a lot of people wrong. That injury crisis Celtic had at the back during Brendan Rodgers’ first season was the opportunity that Scales needed to show that he could perform to a consistently high level.
Yes, he still has his few wayward passes, but his actual defending can’t be questioned.
