Pat Bonner believes Liam Scales can feel unfairly treated after being left out of Celtic’s lineup against Aberdeen, as Brendan Rodgers opted to start Cameron Carter-Vickers alongside summer signing Auston Trusty in defense. Scales, who has recently solidified his position at center-back, particularly impressed in high-stakes games, including Champions League clashes and the Scottish Premiership fixture against Rangers. His omission left fans feeling sympathetic, especially considering his recent standout performances.
Rodgers’ choice paid off, though, as Celtic cruised to a 6-0 victory over Aberdeen, with Carter-Vickers contributing a headed goal and helping the team secure a clean sheet. Yet, Bonner, discussing the game on BBC Sportsound, admitted he empathized with Scales. He recognized that Rodgers has a tough decision on his hands when it comes to choosing his top central defensive pairing.
The partnership between Carter-Vickers and Trusty has worked seamlessly, giving Rodgers additional defensive options. Previously, Scales had partnered well with both Trusty and Carter-Vickers, making the competition for starting spots in central defense even more intense. However, Bonner suggested that Scales’ recent form warranted his inclusion, making the decision particularly hard on the 26-year-old.
“I mentioned before the game that Scales would be disappointed because he hadn’t done anything wrong,” Bonner noted. He acknowledged that while Scales might not necessarily be a better player than Trusty or Carter-Vickers, his performances had earned him a place in the team. “If you’re playing well, you almost deserve to stay in the team until something changes—that’s the point.”
Bonner concluded that Rodgers has several solid defensive combinations available, and it’s ultimately the manager’s responsibility to make these difficult calls. For Scales, though, the choice may feel undeserved given his recent impact.
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