Martin O’Neill makes amusing Lionel Messi remark while praising Liam Scales
Martin O’Neill has joked that Liam Scales occasionally thinks he is Lionel Messi after the Celtic defender scored the winner in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock.
The Republic of Ireland international proved the match-winner at Celtic Park, stretching to meet Camilo Durán’s first-half delivery and secure three important Premiership points for the Hoops.
Scales has established himself as a key figure under O’Neill, with the Celtic manager full of praise for the defender’s performances since taking charge.
However, the 74-year-old couldn’t resist a light-hearted dig at the centre-back’s occasional attempts to replicate the Argentine superstar when in possession.
Speaking after the victory, O’Neill said: “Scales has been great for me, honestly, really great. Sometimes Scalesy plays a pass as if he was Messi, and that doesn’t happen. But he’s been fantastic.
“I’m sure he’s been a fine player before I came here, but in my year here, he’s been absolutely exceptional. I couldn’t speak more highly of him. I think he’s great for us defensively.
“He’s a centre-half, but sometimes I’m expecting him to play the ball like an inside forward or something like that, but overall he’s been really terrific.
“He’s come up with some big, big goals, but he’s also come up with big, big moments defensively for us during my time.
“He’s strong, he wants to do it, and come up with goals for us—as it turns out, the most important goal today. I think he’s great, and I’ve said it to him often enough.”
Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below…
