Liam Scales Celtic contract signals Brendan Rodgers 'trust' as defender lands major Player of the Year endorsement

Charlie Mulgrew believes Liam Scales has shown form worthy of a potential Player Of The Year contender.

As the defender closes in on a new contract extension at Celtic, former Parkhead and Scotland ace Mulgrew says the Irishman deserves huge credit for grabbing his chance when it came and winning the total trust of boss Brendan Rodgers. Scales’ outstanding work this season has been one of the success stories of the campaign so far in Glasgow’s East End.

The 25-year-old has transformed himself from an emergency option due to an autumn injury crisis into a key member of the squad in the space of five months. His brilliant efforts have seen Rodgers make him a regular starter both at home and in the Champions League and a new deal is now in the offing with talks long under way between the club and his advisors.

Rodgers has revealed that agreement is likely to be sealed “in due course” after the player’s terrific run of consistent performances. Mulgrew said: “That’s good to hear. He’s a good player who has done well for Celtic and is possibly one of the players of the year.

“He’s been a big surprise for everyone, but has really taken his chance when it has come his way. Sometimes, it can take an injury here or there. Or if you are a bit lower down in the pecking order, you need to wait for that chance.

“Liam has done that and maybe it was unexpected because it did look as though he might be going out on loan, maybe to Aberdeen. But he’s managed to hang in there, get his chance and take it with both hands. Fair play to him, he’s been one of Celtic’s best players this season and taking those chances when they came along are what football is all about.”

It’s a chance which seemed to have grown unlikely. Scales initially