Alan Cawley reckons that Liam Scales’ ability to play on the left-side of defence gives him a distinct advantage in getting picked on the next Ireland squad.
The Republic of Ireland squad will be named in less than three weeks time when Stepehen Kenny’s side take on Greece and Gibraltar in the next international window, which takes place in mid-October.
Cawley, the former League of Ireland player and football pundit, feels that Celtic defender Scales will make the cut.
The Wicklow bhoy looked to be heading for the Parkhead exit door at the beginning of the year but things have quickly turned in his favour.
A deluge of injuries to Celtic’s centre half roster opened the door and Scales has come out swinging, winning man-of-the-match against Rangers in the Old-Firm before impressing against Feyenoord in the Champions League.
He has also impressed week-on-week in the SPL, making light of the loss of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrock in the heart of the hoops’ defence.
“100% yes,” said Cawley, when asked on the House of Football if Scales will make the next Republic of Ireland sqaud.
“He will be in it, not just in the reckoning.”
“I don’t think he can be doing anymore from his side of the bargain to be getting named in squads. I’m sure Stephen is aware of that as well.”
Cawley feels that Scales ability to play on the left helps his cause.
“You look at the team at the moment, Duffy, Egan, Collins and Dara O’Shea, but there’s no left-sided centre back, so he could be the left-sided one in a back three, which is a big advantage for him in terms of balancing things up there as well.
“Because it can be awkward having O’Shea or Collins there on the left, so yeah, I think Liam is doing really well, and to see him playing every week under Brendan Rogers, who I think is a really good manager, that’s great, because he’ll be really well coached, I think he’ll be in the squad. I don’t think it’s a question of will he be in it.”
While some are sceptical about Scales’ long-term prospects at Celtic, Cawley feels that his manager Brendan Rogers will take into account the fact that, when he was short of resources, the Irish man stepped up to the plate.
“He’s improved, earned his place, grabbed his opportunity.
“That’s what football is all about. I think Brendan Rogers will appreciate that. That, when he needed someone, Liam Scales stepped in and basically bailed him out, and did really well for him.”
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