Liam Scales is enjoying a superb season at Celtic, and now he’s extended that good form to international level, as he played his part in helping The Republic of Ireland earn a World Cup play off spot after a dramatic win in Hungary, with Liam assisting Troy Parrot’s last gasp winner.
The Celtic defender also starred in The Republic’s impressive win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s all star Portuguese side on Thursday night, notching yet another assist, in a game where the Portuguese legend received his marching orders.
Scales a frontrunner for Celtic POTY
Liam has long been the subject of criticism by a section of the Celtic support, but he’s proved beyond doubt that he’s more than just a squad player in this Celtic side, and indeed the Ireland side for that matter. These’s days he’s one of the first names on the team-sheet for club and country and as things currently stand he is probably the frontrunner for Celtic’s Player of the Year this season.
Rodgers kept Scales at Celtic despite Barry Robson’s best efforts
Showing his class in Celtic colours, not just domestically but in Europe also, and starring for The Republic of Ireland on the World Cup stage is yet another feather in the former Shamrock Rovers man’s cap. After spending a period on loan from Celtic up at Aberdeen, Barry Robson then the manager at Pittdorie, was on the phone repeatedly to Brendan Rodgers trying to secure Scales in a £500k deal in the summer of 2023.
Rodgers though was reluctant to part with Scales and instead turned him into a key member of his Celtic team. That player development will have seen Scales’ value soar from the half million on offer from the North East.
Liam’s stock continues to rise
These day’s Liam Scales very much looking like the real deal in defence and as a goal threat in the opposition’s box as both Portugal and Hungary have just discovered.
We always worry about other sides from more competitive leagues looking at our players. As Liam’s stock continues to rise, then he will undoubtedly start to attract interest. Scales has kept a £7m signing in Auston Trusty out of the Celtic team on merit – the two are now a pairing due to Cameron Carter-Vickers’ Achilles injury – but left-footed Trusty is now playing on the right hand side of Celtic central defence.
Scales has made the left centre-half position his own at Celtic and on Thursday night he showed that he is also competent as a left back. That does nothing to lower his transfer valuation, quite the opposite in fact.
To his doubters and critics, occasionally one or two will say ‘hands up, I got it wrong’ but the vast majority just give up and move onto their next target. But if Scales makes an error, up they’ll pop with their criticism and their ‘told you so’ gloat.
This is what last night means to the Irish…
90+5mins: 🇭🇺 2-3 🇮🇪
Ireland holds its breath, on the last throw of the dice… Hat-trick for Parrott 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮
📺 @rte2 @rteplayer https://t.co/xaKTb2LBVG
📻 @rteradio1 https://t.co/PEszeaDYyf
📱Updates: https://t.co/TC5xt2IxRd pic.twitter.com/PA0l9oiAOo— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 16, 2025
TP summing up the emotions of a nation.
Thank you, lads 💚pic.twitter.com/BeID6lJ1Kg
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 16, 2025
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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I was one who stayed solid behind Scales and though he made a few mistakes at the beginning (who doesnt?) I really thought there was a player there.
Im delighted for Liam who has knuckled down and made himself a starter in the hoops.
Massive call from the Irish manager, to start scales on Thursday against Portugal. Many including myself, wouldn’t have felt comfortable at scales in a wing back position in a back 5.
Worked very well, and with the added bonus of scales providing the assist for parrot, for the opening goal on the night.
But scales is possibly in the best form of his life at present, and his defensive play was outstanding on the night, so more than repaid his managers decision, to actually use him from the start imo, which he had been reluctant in doing so, during the campaign to date.
So no real surprise that scales kept his place yesterday. Totally different type of game involved, and in fairness scales struggled moreso in the wing back position.
Looked far more comfortable, when Ireland changed to the back 4, and bit surprised scales wasn’t made way for, as a sub.
Again scales repaid his manager with some very important defensive blocks. Then came his moment that Irish football won’t forget anytime soon, with the assist for such a memorable winning goal.
Troy parrot by all means will grab the headlines, deservedly so, and was only starting due to Evan ferguson not available. But still will claim that scales was a worthy second choice as a headliner maker imo?
Scales had to adapt his role moreso than any other Irish player, and done so fabulously well, and turned himself into a national hero in doing so imo.
A manager respecting his current form, and a player more than returning that belief within his abilities, and contributing massively to such a success.
Scales showed over the 2 international matches, that he can be trusted within, a back 3, 4 or 5, depending upon circumstances, and not a great deal of defensive options can make such claims.
With the heart he has within his game, more than covers when he might not be so impressive upon the eye as a footballer.
Certainly happy enough that he is one of our players, despite nearly leaving our club.
Could be described as having had some lucky breaks within his career to date. But certainly repaid those who had there faith in his abilities, and delighted for scales, and hope his career continues to flourish imo?
No! Let’s get the facts right! It was RODGERS who was trying to offload Scales!
As usual, Rodgers wanted to spend miney to prove a point! So what did he do? He biught Trusty! A player from Sheffield United for £7M who has only receplayed his first two half decent games, UNDER A DIFFERENT MANAGER!
As a result, Scales has had to prove himself three times harder than any other pkayer! But he has been our most consistent defender for the past two seasons!
Unlike every other defender or midfielder, including CCV and Callum McGregor, his errors rarely if ever cost us a goal!
HAIL HAIL Liam Scales! First name on my team sheet every week!
YNWA
Your bitterness is getting in the way of your memory Joe. Robson has spoken about this. Rodgers decided to keep Scales who was just back after being sent out on loan by Ange.
As soon as he does something half decent the “Ginger Baresi” cheerleaders are oot in force, eh?
But, they’re VERY quiet eveytime he misplaces a pass or does somethin daft tho tae, eh?
He’s a trier, i’ll gie him that.
He’s gid in the air, both assists certainly werenae wi his feet, obviously.
I don’t hate the bhoy, but he’s limited at a higher level if playing CB in a back 4.
No amount of “I told you so’s” fae either lovers or haters will change that.
I’m old enough tae remember the class of player we used tae have & the bhoy suffers in comparison tae that imho