Liam Scales for the Republic of Ireland?
Liam Scales scored from distance for Celtic against Raith Rovers in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
The former UCD and Shamrock Rovers player put Celtic ahead with a stunning effort against the Scottish Championship side.
The Celtic number 5 will be setting his sights on becoming a capped international with the Republic of Ireland. He has been called up previously but is yet to make an appearance. Scales had been capped six times by the Republic of Ireland under 21’s from 2019 to 2020.
The evolution of Liam Scales.
Celtic signed the defender in August for €600,000. Scales has since played in the Europa League group stages against the likes of Real Betis. He has become a reliable member of Ange Postecoglou’s squad with two goals in 12 appearances this season.
The 23-year-old operates as a left-back for The Bhoys. However, he was initially a centre-back for UCD. In his final season at Shamrock Rovers, he operated as a left-wing-back.
WHAT A GOAL…!
72mins: SRFC 1-1 Dundalk
Liam Scales channels his inner Dennis Bergkamp, with a hint of Stephanie Roche to level matters for Shamrock Rovers in the President's Cup. Game is free on #WatchLOI #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/4PSTkvXD8q
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) March 12, 2021
Scales goal against Raith Rovers.
Tom Rogic played a pass across the pitch into Scales’ feet. The Wicklow man set himself and laced his shot in off the post from the edge of the box.
The Raith Rovers goalkeeper didn’t stand a chance from his venomous shot.
🎯 A rocket from Liam Scales to give Celtic the lead!#CELRAI | #ScottishCup | #COYBIG🍀pic.twitter.com/jIMnrTCrvP
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 13, 2022
The defender will be hoping that more highlight-reel clips will lead to an Ireland cap by Stephen Kenny in 2022. Scales also had the honour of winning the BBC’s man-of-the-match award for the game. A solid day’s work.
Following the game, Scales was matter-of-fact about his strike – “I just hit it and it went in!”
"I just hit it and it went in!"
Liam Scales on his Scottish Cup thonker for @CelticFC 🍀pic.twitter.com/8VOtCJwctz
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 13, 2022
Celtic went on to beat Raith Rovers 4-1 as Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda scored in quick succession. Nir Bitton added the fourth for Celtic when he scored from the rebound of his own saved spot-kick.
The quarter final tie for Celtic will be decided on Monday evening when Peterhead and Dundee meet.
