By:
Mark Hendry
Liam Scales has explained why Celtic’s squad feel so confident under interim boss Martin O’Neill.
The Hoops sacked Wilfried Nancy early in January after a miserable run of two wins from eight.
It was the worst run for a Parkhead boss in the club’s history and it cost the Frenchman his job.
For the cursed Scales that seems to have been a positive outcome.
The Republic of Ireland defender struggled under Nancy and the system he had his backline playing.
It was a set up which clearly did not suit the Irishman or the rest of his teammates.
But according to the 27-year-old it was not all just about the system.
Liam Scales credits Martin O’Neill for bringing Celtic confidence back
No, Scales believes interim manager O’Neill has brought back a “confidence” that had been missing.
During his first stint as caretaker O’Neill won seven of his eight matches.
Just one defeat away to Midtjylland in the Europa League blotting his record.
Since he returned Celts have won both their games, albeit they have not been at their best.
A 4-0 romp over Dundee United was followed by a 1-0 victory at Falkirk they might’ve lost.
And Scales acknowledges that the team still have a way to go before they’re back at their best.
The difference for the centre-half now, though, is that he feels comfortable with O’Neill at the helm.
So with the boss and his staff, Scales is adamant success is coming again under his guidance.
“I think we feel confident under him,” Scales explained.
“Performances haven’t been at our top level, we’ve managed to pull through games and get results with clean sheets.
“I suppose that’s been the main thing that’s got us those seven wins.
“I think him and the staff, that’s probably what they felt they needed to bring the first time around.
“We went through bad results, they came in and knew we had the ability and players to win games.
“It was just about getting confidence.
“It’s almost like a carbon copy of coming back in and needing to lift us.
“It’s just the way they approach training, they fill you with confidence every day.
“The way they speak to you, it’s really helped a lot.”
O’Neill’s history at Celtic is littered with silverware.
And Scales is certainly not surprised.
The defender believes the gaffer’s man management is second to none.
How O’Neill has got Celtic winning again after Wilfried Nancy flop
Which is a significant reason for the squad coming together to win football matches again.
“I think all of the lads do have a good relationship with him,” he added.
“It’s funny, he’ll say a good thing about you and then follow it up with a bad thing.
“You take it in good spirits.
“I suppose there’s the Irish connection there as well.
“I think as a centre-half, if you defend well and defend first before anything else, I think that is really what he wants.
“You know what you have to do to keep him happy, which is a good thing.
“He’s got a brilliant team around him, like Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, Stephen McManus and Gavin Strachan.
“You want to start how they sort of left, you wanted to get back to winning ways.”
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