James McClean shows his class towards Celtic’s Liam Scales, and responds to possible Ireland return

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Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny will be returning to Celtic with a spring in their step.

The duo were on the pitch when Troy Parrott scored the Republic of Ireland’s 96th-minute winner against Hungary to keep up their hopes of reaching next summer’s World Cup.

Scales supplied the assist for Parrott’s winner in Budapest, as the Celtic defender served the hat-trick hero for a second time this week because he did the same during Ireland’s 2-0 win over 10-man Portugal last Thursday in Dublin.

Celtic fan James McClean wanted to give Scales his flowers after the win over Hungary, especially given that he is playing out of position.

• READ MORE: What the Irish media said about ‘dangerous’ Celtic man Johnny Kenny’s debut Ireland cameo vs Hungary

James McClean lauds Liam Scales after the Republic of Ireland beat Hungary

When discussing Ireland’s famous win over Hungary on Off the Ball, the host pointed out how Scales will be suspended for the first leg of next year’s World Cup play-off, so he questioned whether McClean, who retired from national duty in 2023, would be open to making a comeback.

The Wrexham star showcased his class by singing the praises of Scales before he could even talk about making a return to the national setup.

Host: “Liam Scales picked up a booking. He isn’t going to be available for the first (leg) of the play-offs. After having the conversation there about Seamus (Coleman’s) comeback from the wilderness, James. What about you?”

McClean: “Can I just say, first and foremost, that is someone else who deserves a lot of praise is Liam Scales, because I know he has played left-back before, but it’s not his natural position.

“The performances he has put on over the last two games. Not only that, two absolutely crucial headers. For Troy’s first goal on Thursday, and then, obviously, for Troy’s winner last night. He deserves massive, massive credit.”

McClean to replace Scales?

With Scales playing that left wing-back role, if McClean were to make an unlikely return to the international side, he would play and compete with the Celtic man for a spot.

But McClean shared that, whilst he has no intention of coming back, because he just wants Ireland to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, he didn’t rule out responding to a message or a phone call if it came from the other side.

“In my sense, I am done,” responded McClean. “The lads don’t need me; they have shown that – I retired in 2023, and I haven’t had a single text or phone call since then, so for me to see that I have been spoken about. Then saying, ‘lack of minutes.’

“That’s something that kind of annoyed me, I will be honest. If we are going off the lack of minutes thing over the past year, it would have been hard to pick a squad based on that.

“For example, Seamus. Apart from Troy’s goals, he has probably been the most influential player we have had throughout this campaign, and Seamus hasn’t been playing week in and week out. You kind of contradict yourself in that sense.

“But for me, I am done. I have other plans with my life now – you would be lying to say you weren’t (interested in a return if I got a text or call to come back).”