Packie Bonner believes Liam Scales can play for Celtic in a three-man defence - and says Ireland boss Stephen Kenny can also see him in that role.
Signed on a four year contract from Shamrock Rovers last August, Scales has already had a positive impact.
He scored his second goal for the Bhoys since joining when he fired home the opening goal in Celtic's big Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers at Parkhead on Sunday.
So far the 23-year-old has been employed at left-back when he has played for his new club.
With the Hoops, he developed into an effective wing-back.
And former Celtic and Ireland goalkeeper Bonner, who is now on the board of the FAI, believes Ange Postecoglou has the option of using Scales in a different way if he decides to change his defensive formation.
"You could go to a three at the back," Bonner told BBC Sportsound.
"With (Christopher) Jullien back that could be an option because you have an extra defender who can play with (Cameron) Carter-Vickers on one side or (Stephen) Welsh on the other side, or Scales because he’s left-sided.
"I was talking to the Irish manager about him a couple of days ago and he actually thinks also that he could play left centre-back.
"We haven’t seen a left-sider for a long, long time. It gets you unbalanced at times and it’s unfair to the guy who’s right-footed playing on the left at times.
"Even with body shape you can get caught a little bit.”
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