Brendan Rodgers is seeing the true worth of his Celtic squad over this festive period.
Due to a high number of matches over a short period and injuries, the bench is being handed chances to prove why they should start.
Celtic drew 0-0 at Dundee United before Christmas, several players didn’t answer that question and some of the usual suspects returned for the showdown against Motherwell on Boxing Day.
That included main centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has had his injury issues, but is still a starter whenever he is fit and ready to play.
But changes have been made for who plays alongside him, including Auston Trusty replacing Liam Scales as the regular starter, before illness meant that the American didn’t play at Tannadice.
That opened the door for Scales to start again and keep his place for Celtic’s 4-0 win over Motherwell, with Trusty returning to the bench.
Ross McCormack says Liam Scales has been ‘harshly’ treated at Celtic
Last season, before a ball was kicked, Scales was seen as a fringe player, at best, before producing his best campaign and starting regularly alongside Carter-Vickers.
But, since then, Trusty has been signed for big money and, eventually, has started alongside his fellow countryman at the heart of the defence.
Ross McCormack suggested that is the wrong call and stated that the Republic of Ireland international has been ‘harshly’ treated by his manager, as he told Open Goal.
I think you know what you are going to get, especially with Scales,” said McCormack. “He has never let anyone down. I think he has been harshly dealt with, to be honest with you, with Trusty.
“I don’t think there is a great deal between them. I think, Scales before Trusty come into the team, I thought Scales was probably the best centre-half at the start of the season (last campaign). Obviously, CCV (Cameron Carter-Vickers) is better than Scales.
“But, I think Scales, at that point in time, was consistently playing very well, then all of a sudden, he’s out of the team and Trusty is in the team. I know they paid £6 million, you have got to find the space. I think he has been harshly dealt with.
Scales’ stats for Celtic against Motherwell
Even if it is by default, Scales has returned to the XI and can do nothing but do his talking on the field of play.
Trusty was taken off at half-time against Rangers, and since then, Scales has played the majority of the time and not done much wrong.
That was the case during Celtic’s win over Motherwell on Boxing Day, with WhoScored rating his performance at an impressive 8.15.
You suspect, he keeps his place in the XI now.
