Jahmai Simpson-Pusey got an unexpected Celtic debut in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.
The young Man City defender has not been seen since he joined Celtic in the summer on loan from the Premier League club.
For whatever reason, Brendan Rodgers refused to take a chance on Simpson-Pusey instead electing to stick with Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
However, with the injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill decided that Simpson-Pusey was the man to choose for the Kilmarnock clash, and Chris Sutton has used that to defend one player who he says is constantly criticised by the Parkhead support.
Liam Scales in action for Celtic against Sturm Graz
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Chris Sutton says Liam Scales brings ‘physicality’ to Celtic after watching Simpson-Pusey
Sutton has shared his concern about the lack of strength and physicality in the Celtic team before, and after watching Simpson-Pusey and Liam Scales in the Hoops’ win over Kilmarnock, the big Englishman took this as a chance to defend the Irish international.
Sutton told the Record Celtic podcast, “I mean, Liam Scales for Celtic now, and I know he gets flak.
“Celtic fans give him flak for some of his passing at times. But when you set up against Celtic domestically, and they will see Celtic’s vulnerability from set pieces, you need people who are willing to go and head the ball and be dominant.
“As much as Austin Trusty’s come in and impressed, I think we have seen, certainly last season, him get roughed up.
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“And then you’re looking at the lesser-spotted Simpson-Pusey coming in, maybe at right-back, maybe that’s Martin thinking, well, a bit of size in there as well where Celtic physically are not the biggest team.
“And that certainly, whether people like it or not, is something where I do have great concerns about Celtic’s physicality.”
Liam Scales’ impressive Celtic stats vs Kilmarnock
Scales had an outstanding game in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock. So much so that Fotmob rated him their star man with a rating of 8.5.
Here is how the big Irish defender fared in the rout of Stuart Kettlewell’s side:
Minutes: 90
Rating: 8.5
Assists: 1
Accurate passes: 84/88 (95%)
Chances created: 1
Touches: 99
Touches in opposition box: 1
Passes into final third: 16
Accurate long balls: 6/6 (100%)
Clearances: 7
Headed clearances: 3
Recoveries: 8
Aerial duels won: 5/7 (71%)
Another outstanding performance for Scales, who continues to prove his Celtic critics wrong this season.