Joe Hart has praised Liam Scales for the way he has turned his Celtic career around, after once believing his time at the club was over.
Speaking on commentary during the Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade, the former Hoops goalkeeper highlighted Scales’ journey from the brink of leaving to becoming a trusted figure in defence.
Scales had previously admitted he thought his future lay away from Parkhead, with a permanent move to Aberdeen on the cards following a loan spell there. However, injuries within the Celtic squad opened the door for him to step in, and he has not looked back since.
Now a regular starter under Brendan Rodgers, Scales has become a dependable option at the back. His consistency and calmness have won plaudits, and Hart, who shared a dressing room with him before retiring, offered a strong endorsement of his qualities.
For Hart, the defender’s story is an example of resilience and patience paying off. He believes Scales deserves recognition for making the most of his opportunity and proving himself in one of the toughest roles at the club.
He said: (TNT Sports), “He’s an underrated player.
“When I first came in, he didn’t think he had a future at Celtic; that’s where he was going, he was headed to Aberdeen.
“He didn’t feel like he had a future, and then injuries happened. He has grown since then.
“A really established centre-half for Celtic. Boyhood fan. Just safe, really safe to play with. Really organised.”
Hart’s comments show just how far Scales has come in a short time. Not long ago he looked set to leave for Aberdeen, but now he’s holding his own on European nights and proving himself as an important part of the team.
It also highlights how quickly things can change in football. Injuries opened the door for him, but it was his own consistency that kept him in the side and showed he is capable of playing at the top level in Scotland.
Rodgers has trusted him, and Hart’s praise makes clear that his old teammates value him too. For Celtic, having a defender who can be relied on is vital, especially in Europe where the back line is tested more than at home.
Scales might not always be in the spotlight, but as Hart said, his calm and organised style makes him a key figure. In a squad looking for stability, his progress has quietly become one of Celtic’s biggest positives.
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