The champions returned to winning ways after the Irishman's looping header separated the sides.

O'Neill described Scales as "exceptional" since his arrival as manager, especially in a defensive sense. And he also joked the centre-back tries to play like the Argentinian great when on the ball.

“Scales has been great for me, honestly, really great. Sometimes Scalesy plays a pass as if he was Messi, and that doesn't happen. But he's been fantastic," said the 74-year-old.

“I'm sure he's been a fine player before I came here, but in my year here, he's been absolutely exceptional. I couldn't speak more highly of him. I think he's great for us defensively.

“He's a centre-half, but sometimes I'm expecting him to play the ball like an inside forward or something like that, but overall he's been really terrific.

“He's come up with some big, big goals, but he's also come up with big, big moments defensively for us during my time.

“He's strong, he wants to do it, and come up with goals for us—as it turns out, the most important goal today. I think he's great, and I've said it to him often enough.”