When Brendan Rodgers, a man who has seen his fair share of talent rise through the ranks, calls a player one of the “biggest surprises” of his long coaching career, you sit up and take notice.
The player in question is Liam Scales, a lad who’s been turning heads at Celtic. Rodgers’ recent comments on Scales offer a fascinating insight into the young player’s rapid ascent, and they also encapsulate the unpredictable, yet rewarding, nature of football.
“I hadn’t seen a lot of Liam, the odd time I seen him in a game, I seen him score at the Dundee Utd game. When he went out to Aberdeen I didn’t see a lot of him,” Rodgers told CelticTV. This isn’t uncommon in football; players often go under the radar, especially when they’re loaned out to other clubs. But what sets Scales apart is his sheer determination and focus.
“The feeling around the club was he wanted to go out and continue playing. He had one eye on thinking he was leaving,” Rodgers continued. It’s a sentiment that many young players can relate to. The uncertainty of breaking into the first team, especially at a club as big as Celtic, can be daunting. But Rodgers had some sage advice for the young Celt: “I said, you never know, stay work hard, stay focused. He’s taken his chance.”
And take his chance he did. “He’s shown that he can play, the big surprise for me was when he stepped up to the Champions League level and he looked accomplished,” Rodgers marvelled. Now, let’s not kid ourselves; the Champions League is a different beast altogether. The pressure, the quality of opposition, the atmosphere—it’s a stage where even seasoned pros can falter. But not Scales. He looked like he belonged, and that’s no small feat.
“In a matter of weeks, he’s gone from a player that as established himself in the team, thinking he was leaving Celtic to playing regularly in the team, to playing in the Champions League and making his international debut,” Rodgers summed up. It’s a whirlwind progression that epitomises the rollercoaster that is professional football. One moment you’re contemplating your future away from the club, and the next, you’re living the dream—playing at the highest level and even donning your national team’s colours.
“That’s how football can work for you, consistency now is the name of the game,” Rodgers concluded. Indeed, the hard part begins now for Scales. The spotlight is on him, and expectations will be high. But if his recent performances are anything to go by, this is one young player who’s more than ready for the challenge.
