Scales had a poor night last night but not a poor game. He can hold his head up.

Last night at Wembley, two things became crystal clear. First, Liam Scales is by far the best central defender Ireland has at its disposal. Second, without him, the team doesn’t just lose a player—it loses its backbone. That became evident within minutes of his dismissal, as the team unraveled spectacularly. Of course, going down to ten men is a challenge for any side, but the sheer speed of Ireland’s collapse highlighted just how crucial Scales is to their defensive solidity.

During his time on the pitch, we saw the best of Liam Scales.

Up until his red card, he was excellent.

While many argue the sending-off was warranted, I’m not so sure. Every defender knows the risks of a trailing leg; even the slightest contact can lead to a forward going down and trouble brewing, and so we also saw that he’s still a young guy with a lot to learn as well. He had already been booked late in the first half, so he was walking a fine line. When Jude Bellingham went over early in the second half, that was it—a second yellow, and off he went.

The shambles that followed was as predictable as it was painful. England ran riot, but before Scales’ dismissal, they barely had a sniff. Neither side registered a single shot on target in the first half, and Scales had been pivotal in keeping England’s attack quiet. The timing of his red card isn’t a coincidence—without him, Ireland crumbled. This wasn’t just about being a man down; it was about losing the leader of their defence.

Scales has grown immensely as a player, and we’ve all seen it with our own eyes. He may not be a “world-beater” or an elite-level defender yet, but he’s far better than anyone could have predicted. He’s become a fantastic asset for Celtic and Ireland, and last night, I couldn’t help but feel for him. Even if the decision to award the penalty was justified—and I’m not convinced it was—I don’t believe it merited a second yellow. Rules are rules, I suppose, but it left a sour taste.

Critics will have their say about whether it was a fair sending-off, and they’re entitled to their opinions. My stance is simple: Scales didn’t deserve to go, and Ireland didn’t deserve to play the majority of the second half with ten men.

The silver lining? He’ll miss the next game for Ireland, which lowers the risk of injury or fatigue ahead of his return to Celtic duties. But still, the nature of the defeat stings. The fact it was against England, and that they went on to such a convincing win, only makes it worse.

Yet, there’s solace in knowing that Scales was excellent while he was on the pitch, and Ireland looked solid with him in the heart of the defence.

This match won’t be one he’ll want to remember, but he should take pride in his performance during that first half. He shouldn’t shoulder any blame for the chaos that unfolded after his exit—he wasn’t there to prevent it. If anything, it’s a testament to how much Ireland needs him. Without him, the defensive unit simply doesn’t function.

For Scales, it’s about shaking this off and getting back to what he does best—marshalling the Celtic backline with composure and skill.

It was a night to forget for Ireland, but Scales can hold his head high. His growth as a player is undeniable, and he’s proven once again just how vital he is to any team he plays for.