A night to forget for Arne Engels and Liam Scales

The Celtic Star

·18 November 2024

A night to forget for Arne Engels and Liam Scales

It was a night to forget for Arne Engels and Liam Scales as both fell to defeat on international duty…

Liam Scales is shown a red card by Referee Erik Lambrechts after a foul on Jude Bellingham during the UEFA Nations League match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley on November 17, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Back-to-back defeats for Belgium

Celtic’s record-breaking signing started for Belgium versus Israel as Domenico Tedesco’s side suffered back-to-back defeats in the UEFA Nations League group phase.

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Engels, who until this round of fixtures hadn’t started a senior game for the Belgian Red Devils made his second consecutive start for his country last night. Lasting 72 minutes on Thursday against Italy, Engels was substituted in the 93rd minute in Belgium’s 1-0 loss to Israel on Sunday evening in neutral Budapest.

Engels Arne during the UEFA Nations League tournament match between Israel and Belgium on November 17, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary, 17/11/2024 . Photo Tomas Sisk

Israel have been relegated

Despite winning the match, Israel have been relegated to UEFA Nations League B whilst Belgium finished 3rd and as a result will remain in the Nations League A section for Euro 2028 qualification in two years time.

UEFA Nations League Israel vs Belgium Arne Engels during UEFA Nations League match between Israel and Belgium at Bozsnik Arena in Budapest, Hungary on November 17, 2024. Photo Matija Habljak

A fifth cap for Arne Engels

Although it was a tough night for Belgium, individually it will have been a proud one for Engels. It is cap number five for the 21 year-old Celtic playmaker who is starting to make his mark on the international stage. Albeit under pressure from the Belgian FA, Tedesco seems to put a lot of faith into upcoming prospects of which Engels is one.

Liam Scales is shown a red card by Erik Lambrechts during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley on November 17, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

A night to forget for Liam Scales

Meanwhile, it was a night to forget for Hoops defender Liam Scales who was sent-off at Wembley as England thrashed Ireland 5-0 yesterday evening.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men had defended resolutely up until five minutes into the second half when Liam Scales was adjudged to have fouled Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham in the penalty area. Subsequently, not only did Belgian referee Erik Lambrechts point to the spot, he ordered Scales off deeming his challenge on Bellingham as a second bookable offence.

Liam Scales is shown a red card by Erik Lambrechts during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 match between England and Republic of Ireland at Wembley on November 17, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

As a result, Ireland collapsed going down to 10 men. England scored three goals in five minutes and killed any slim hopes of a famous Irish result in London.

Zero significance

In the context of the group for Scales and Ireland, the result had zero significance no matter the outcome. But, for the way it unfolded in the second 45, Ireland will have been extremely disappointed considering the first-half was a strong defensive performance.

Therefore, it was sore nights indeed for Engels and Scales, but the duo will now return to Lennoxtown as the squad prepare to face Hearts at Tynecastle this coming Saturday in the Scottish Premiership.

Conor Spence

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…