Well, I bet the Celtic fans never saw this one coming. With many of their players on international duty, almost all are impressing this week bar one.
Liam Scales has been superb for Celtic this season since stepping in for Brendan Rodgers during a defensive injury crisis.
The Irishman is now said the be on the brink of being offered a new deal because of his impressive form and there won’t be a single Celtic fan that says it’s not deserved.
However, on international duty last night, it seems that Scales struggled to recreate the form that impressed so much against Gibraltar the last time he pulled on an Ireland jersey.
But when your opponents are Holland, you know you are going to be in for a difficult night. And that is exactly what Scales got.
What the Irish media said about Celtic’s Liam Scales
It seems that Scales was at fault for the only goal of the game in the 1-0 defeat to the Dutch masters and whilst the media verdict was that he struggled, they also admit that the next Ireland gaffer is going to need the Celtic defender when he comes in.
RTE: “5 – The defender showed he is still getting used to the pace of international football as his uncertainty was clear when battling a trio of Weghorst, Cody Gakpo, and Xavi Simons. Despite this, he made a number of last-ditch tackles that stopped players like Denzil Dumfries from creating something inside the area.”
Sunday World: “The Celtic defender made a couple of timely interceptions as the home side whipped balls into the Ireland box. The next Ireland manager will need Scales – 7.”
Irish Examiner: “Appeared uncertain how closely he should have been marking the rapid Xavi Simons. Remains on a steep learning curve at this level. Cleared to continue after a concussion check following a clash of heads with Simons. 5”
Balls.ie: “Quite a few Dutch attacks came down the left side populated by Scales, most notably when he was caught well up the pitch for their opening goal.
“It was a tough night at the office for the Wicklow man. 5.”
Whilst the Celtic fans are not used to seeing negativity written about their rejuvenated star, they won’t be too concerned about the media verdict on Scales.
Some of the best defenders in the world would struggle against Ronald Keoman’s side and I would look upon the ninety minutes he got as an opportunity to learn from them.
Scales’ learning curve has been short and sharp. Being thrust into the Celtic first team without stability to allow him to bed in was always going to be difficult but the 25-year-old took it in his stride.
Next up for Scales is a friendly against New Zealand on Tuesday night where he will be hoping to put in a confidence-boosting performance ahead of Motherwell’s visit to Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.
In other news, ‘Bad, bad man’… Nation’s media react to 25-year-old Celtic player’s latest international performance