Liam Scales draws Roy Keane comparison as Celtic warned Irishman could be destined for bigger things

Liam Scales' outstanding performances on the continent for Celtic have led him to be compared to former Hoops veteran Roy Keane amid his excellence under Brendan Rodgers.

Scales was all but heading for the Parkhead exit door in the summer with the arrivals of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Nat Phillips and Maik Nawrocki alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers meaning the Irishman had been punted down the pecking order. A loan spell at Aberdeen last term made them a logical destination, be it permanently or on loan.

But Carl Starfelt's exit to Celta Vigo and injuries to both Nawrocki and Lagerbielke propelled Scales back into the first-team picture. The Irishman has since stepped into the starting XI and along with Matt O'Riley, has been one of the top performers under Brendan Rodgers since he returned. Scales has been highly applauded by pundits for his efforts since, though it's one of his former coaches that has compared him to Keane as he admitted Celtic may not be able to hold on to him.

Speaking to Balls.ie, Lar Mahony - Scales' U9 group coach at Wicklow - claimed that the Hoops defender is much like Keane in one aspect. He said: "Liam reminds me strangely enough of Roy Keane, because of one specific thing.

"I was working with the FAI when Roy was with us and he went over to Nottingham Forest. His characteristic was that the step up was never a problem for him. He was able to go from Cobh Ramblers, he was able to go away and step in to Nottingham Forest. Then he was able to go to Manchester United and step into Manchester United’s team and just play.
In a strange way, that's the similarity I see between him and Liam.

"Liam has the temperament where no matter what club he ends up playing with, he'll step in and he'll just play