Seamus Coleman is a legend at Everton. He has been with the Merseyside club since 2009, making over 400 appearances for them and has been their captain for five years now. He has over 70 caps for the Republic of Ireland national team too and captains them as well. However, a Celtic player has been declared a better option than the 35-year-old when it comes to being part of a back three.
Coleman was played as part of a back three in their recent game against England. They lost 2-0, thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, both of whom had represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level before deciding to switch to the Three Lions.
Of course, it was not the greatest game on the part of Coleman. Liam Scales, on the other hand, was left as an unused substitute on the bench.
Scales might be a better option as part of a back three than Coleman at this point in time though. Of course, the latter has played the game at the highest level but that just does not seem like the right role for him.
Celtic player declared better option than Everton captain
As reported by The 42, Shane Keegan said on the latest episode of the Football Family:
"We’re not stuck for a left-footed player to play in that role at the moment. Liam Scales is flying it. Ok you can argue the merits of the level that he’s playing at, but he had just come out of the Rangers game where he had played extremely well.
“What could possibly suggest from what Liam Scales is doing at the moment that he wasn’t good enough to be in that starting 11 vs England?
“If you have a left-footed option and don’t want to play him, you need to have a serious reason not to.
“As an outside player in a back three, is Liam Scales not a better defender than Seamus Coleman? Obviously, Seamus is a better option as a full back, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around that one."
Scales has developed into a Celtic starter during the time of Brendan Rodgers as manager of the club. One has to wonder whether he will be able to keep his place in the team after Auston Trusty was signed from Sheffield United on deadline day.
Scales has developed into a solid defender for Celtic though. Of course, he has had his fair share of critics over the past year or so, but one cannot deny the fact that he has exceed all expectations that were set for him.