The 23-year old defender has been called up in place of Swansea City defender Ryan Manning who had to withdraw from the squad with injury.

Scales linked up with the squad before departure to Baku, Azerbaijan on Wednesday and will be available for the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier on Saturday, October 9 as well as the international friendly against Qatar on Tuesday, October 12.

Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has also spoken in a press conference about the recent news that striker Callum Robinson has chosen not to be vaccinated for the Covid-19 virus.

When asked if he would drop the player due to this, Kenny thought that it would be ‘radical’ and said he would not at this time.

Speaking to the press Robinson, explained his decision: “It’s obviously annoying that I’ve caught it twice but I haven’t been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it, but at this moment in time I haven’t been vaccinated.”

"Everyone has that choice."

Callum Robinson has revealed he has not yet been vaccinated against COVID 19. pic.twitter.com/jc3DldzBsk

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 6, 2021

Republic of Ireland Squad v Azerbaijan / v Qatar

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).

Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Liam Scales (Celtic).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jason Knight (Derby County).

Attackers: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United).

Liam Scales called up to the Ireland squad. What a player pic.twitter.com/36UGZ1EFVQ

— Conor (@srfconor) October 7, 2021

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Ireland and international football news, click here.

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Dundalk kicked off their League of Ireland season with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Shamrock Rovers in the President’s Cup last night.

Dundalk opened the scoring in the 42^nd minute through new signing and Faroese international Sonni Nattestad. The towering 6’6 centre back made his presence known by scoring a bullet header into the back of the net from a corner.

DUNDALK LEAD! Sonni Nattestad

GOAL | @ShamrockRovers 0-1 @DundalkFC

42 | Great delivery from Patrick McEleney and Nattestad heads home to give the Lilywhites the lead

WATCH LIVE | https://t.co/IBZkINEa20#WATCHLOI | #LOI pic.twitter.com/jKxOt2JEQQ

— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) MARCH 12, 2021

Up until then, the match had been evenly contested with few chances at both ends of the pitch.

Shamrock Rovers got their equaliser just after half time with a Dennis Bergkamp-esque strike from Liam Scales. The Ireland u21 international managed to control a cross which had went slightly behind him, take the ball around his marker with an exquisite touch and strike with perfect technique into the bottom right corner.

THAT IS SENSATIONAL! SCALES!

GOAL | @ShamrockRovers 1-1 @DundalkFC

48 | Scales with one touch to control, one touch to take it past the defender and BANG

WATCH LIVE | https://t.co/IBZkINEa20#WATCHLOI | #LOI pic.twitter.com/xk3IQc72Pn

— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) MARCH 12, 2021

Sonni Nattestad – who scored the opening goal for Dundalk – went from hero to villain in the 59^th minute as he was sent off for a late challenge on Graham Burke. The decision by the referee to award a red was controversial, many felt the tackle was a yellow card at most while others felt that Nattestad got the ball. Nevertheless, though, he received his marching orders and left his side to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.

Dundalk showed their defensive resilience and spirit, though, as they held out and reached the full time whistle on level terms despite pressure from Shamrock Rovers.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

There’s no extra time in the President’s Cup meaning the game was decided by a penalty shootout, which likely favoured Dundalk given their numbers disadvantage.

After a handful of penalties, some of which were missed by Dundalk, Graham Burke had the chance to win the tie for Shamrock Rovers with his opportunity. He, however, blasted over the bar meaning the shootout went to sudden death.

Darragh Leahy stepped up to take the penalty for Dundalk which he scored meaning all the pressure was on Shamrock Rovers to score there.

One of their best players last year and League of Ireland stalwart Roberto Lopes stepped up to take the penalty. However, it was the newcomer Alessio Abibi who had the final say. He produced a strong save from the penalty to cap a brilliant performance and win the cup for Dundalk.

The 2021 league season officially kicks off next Friday. Dundalk travel to The Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers. Shamrock Rovers, on the other hand, are at home to St Patrick’s Athletic.

DUNDALK WIN!

FT | @ShamrockRovers 1-1 @DundalkFC (3-4 pens)

Abibi is the hero as the Lilywhites retain the President’s Cup after a fantastic contest to open the 2021 season

Rewatch all of the penalties below

Catch-up | https://t.co/IBZkINEa20#WATCHLOI | #LOI pic.twitter.com/NMERnjk2Hp

— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) MARCH 12, 2021

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