Liam Scales would have Celtic fans 'absolutely raving' if he'd been signed for big money fee

Charlie Mulgrew reckons Liam Scales is only missing the big name and even bigger price tag to be widely regarded as one of Celtic’s most valuable players.

The former Hoops star insists his fellow defender has stepped up to the plate in the last 12 months to become a priceless part of Brendan Rodgers’ side. But Mulgrew reckons the Irishman still doesn’t get the credit he deserves - probably because he never arrived in a multi-million pound deal. Scales was recruited from Shamrock Rovers for £500,000 three years ago and spent his second season out on loan at Aberdeen.

But having formed a solid partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers under Rodgers the 25-year-old has become a first pick for Celtic and Ireland and was rewarded with a new deal at the start of this year.

Rodgers admitted after last month’s Old Firm win his side would be lost without Scales. And Mulgrew, who had two spells at Parkhead and won five league titles, said: "Liam Scales has been absolutely brilliant since he stepped into the team last season.

“Brendan Rodgers has openly said that he doesn't know where he would be without him. I think he was nearly out of the door and then he stepped up to the plate.

"Because he's not a big or foreign name, sometimes people are just waiting for him to make a mistake and looking at the things he doesn't do, rather than the actual stuff he does bring. I think if they'd signed him for six, seven or eight million, the place would be absolutely raving about him and he would get a lot more credit for what he's done.”

Scales spent a full year at Pittodrie on loan from Celtic after being farmed out by Ange Postecoglou. And Mulgrew reckons that time away from the club, learning the Scottish game, has been key to his