What a season Liam Scales is having.
Despite Celtic’s mixed start to the season, as well as the Republic of Ireland’s indifferent performances in recent months, you can’t argue against what Liam Scales is producing on the pitch.
On Thursday evening, the Republic of Ireland beat Portugal 2-0 in a crucial World Cup qualifier, as Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a straight red card on the hour mark for an elbow on Dara O’Shea.
That was the icing on the cake for what was a brilliant display from players like Scales, as well as the whole Irish team in front of a roaring crowd at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland fans react to Liam Scales’ performance vs Portugal
What’s even better about this Scales performance is the fact that he was deployed as a left-sided wing-back and still produced a sterling job.
Troy Parrott was the hero on the night because it was his brace that lifted the roof off, but it was Scales’ assist and header across the box that opened those floodgates.
The Irish fans made sure to give the Celtic man his flowers, because this now keeps up his and the nation’s hopes of securing their golden ticket for the 2026 World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada.
@EoinKavanagh400 gave Scales and Coleman their flowers: ‘Liam Scales and Seamus Coleman tonight 👏🇮🇪.’
@GriYangChatten aimed a dig at Ronaldo’s sending off with a Scales message: ‘It’s so funny that a whole generation of football fans are only going to remember Ronaldo as that washed crybaby who can’t hack it against the likes of Dara O’Shea and Liam Scales.’
@Bigirishcelt praises Scales for his assist: ‘What a player Liam Scales has turn out to be doing it on the International stage..’
@LukeKC67 tried not to go overboard: ‘Liam Scales the best since Maldini?’
More jibes towards Ronaldo, as @ByeByeCatty added: ‘Liam scales the proud owner of Cristiano Ronaldo siiuuuuuuu.’
@BmcQ1888 is over the moon for Scales: ‘Delighted for Liam Scales !! Up the Irish.’
@UpTheEire gave Scales a special mention: ‘Troy Parrott was always going to be named man of the match and rightly so, but Dara O’Shea has been immense. Special mention for Liam Scales & Josh Cullen too – both excellent!! #coybig #irlpor 🇮🇪.’
@declancfc67 is probably right: ‘Liam Scales might just be the best player in the world.’
@Noname202520202 made his feelings clear: ‘My neck my crack My international centre back.’
@keithcropper1 summed it up: ‘Ronaldo sent off and Liam Scales assist. What a night 😍🤣.’
When Ronaldo was let out, as @Neillennoncsc added: ‘Shocked Liam Scales let him out of his pocket for IT.’
How Celtic’s Scales rated against Portugal
Scales has been a standout for Celtic, and he is just allowing everything else to flow, regardless of where he is asked to play.
Before Brendan Rodgers’ abrupt exit, Scales was asked, at times, to fill in at left-back, and as per, he put his head down and did his job.
So, whatever the scenario, Celtic’s hard-hitting centre-back is producing the goods, and this is how Sofascore rated his performance against Portugal.
- Total minutes: 86
- Assists: 1
- Big chances created: 1
- Key Passes: 2
- Touches: 32
- Successful dribbles: 1
- Tackles won: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Clearances: 2
- Recoveries: 5
- Ground duels won: 2
- Aerial duels won: 3
- Sofascore rating: 7.5
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
