Ireland's Liam Scales admits that he doesn't want Ireland's win in Helsinki to become a one-off result and wants a winning mentality to come from it.
The Ireland team ended their losing streak away from home by coming from behind to beat Finland 2-1 in Helsinki on Thursday. Goals from Scales and Robbie Brady ensured that Ireland, under Heimir Hallgrimsson, recorded their first win at the third attempt.
A lot has been said about the Ireland team because of the previous losses, and who knows—it may just have been a good day for the Boys in Green. However, Scales is keen to emulate their wins more often by creating a stronger mentality.
“We knew we had to show character. We knew the game was there to win, or at least to get a point, but we obviously wanted to win," Scales said on Thursday night to the Independent.
“We want to make that a common occurrence—winning big games, winning games away from home, and winning at home as well. Hopefully, we can take that mentality into the next few games.”
Ireland's next game will be against rivals Greece on Sunday, which will be a much tougher test for Hallgrimsson's side. The Greeks beat England 2-1 at Wembley and will be very confident of defeating Ireland for the second time this Nations League campaign. They beat Ireland 2-0 in Dublin last September.
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Scales is aware of the task at hand but admits that the high from the Finnish win will give the Ireland team more confidence when the sides meet. The Celtic star adds that beating teams like Greece will be key for qualification for major tournaments to come.
"Obviously, it’s a tough fixture; we have struggled against them in the past," said Scales.
“But we are going in on a high now, and we need to make this a mentality—a winning mentality—that we can go away to tough places and take wins. That’s how you are going to qualify for tournaments, so that’s the way we need to look at this game.
“We have played them enough to know what they are like, and it’s just about going out there, being solid, and hopefully winning the game.”
Ireland's game kicks off at 7:45 PM on Sunday.
Republic of Ireland Squad: Finland & Greece
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City)
Defenders: Festy Ebosele (Watford, on loan from Udinese), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Mark McGuinness (Luton Town), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen).
Forwards: Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixtures
13/10 - Greece vs. Ireland, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, 7.45pm (9.45pm local time)
