International Qualifier Preview: Scotland -v- Republic of Ireland

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, Nov 14 2014




SCOTLAND

Gordan Strachan returns to the home dug out in Celtic Park on Friday night (kick off 7.45pm) to lead his national team in a venue where he managed the Bhoys to three league titles in a row. His team come into the game three points behind group D table toppers Poland and Ireland, level on points with World Champions Germany at this early stage of the campaign.

 

Scotland lost their opening group game to Germany 2-1 in Dortmund but followed that up with a 1-0 win over Georgia and a 2-2 draw against Poland in Warsaw. Their only home match to date was that victory against Georgia in Ibrox and the team moves across Glasgow to play this qualifier against the Boys in Green in Celtic Park.

 

The winner of this game on Friday night will go a long way to decide the qualifying fate of either team. With two automatic qualifying spots plus an additional play-off available, both teams are in a good position at this early stage of the campaign to get to France 2016 but a loss will put a dent in those ambitions.

 

Both teams have only qualified twice for the European Championship with Euro 96 being the last time that the Scots made it. The 1998 World Cup in France was the last major tournament that the Scots qualified for.

 

Like his opposite number and fellow former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, Strachan has had his own injury worries ahead of the game. Phil Bardsley and James McArthur are unavailable due to injury but the Scottish squad is boosted by the return from suspension of defenders Grant Hanley and Charlie Mulgrew.

 

Lewis Macleod, Callum Paterson and Johnny Russell are unlikely to be named in the starting lineup by Strachan who has plenty of options all over the field. It will likely be Shaun Maloney, Steven Naismith and Ikechi Anya who will play across the middle behind lone striker Steven Fletcher. 


 

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

As if the build up to this game couldn’t generate any more headlines, Wednesday’s incident in the Ireland team hotel has added another layer to this match. There has been plenty of discussions about the ticket allocation for the game, the hereditary of certain Ireland players, along with the story of the return of Martin O’Neill, Roy Keane and Aiden McGeady to their former club but Friday night will finally see a football match kick off that everyone can concentrate on.

 

With James McCarthy’s withdrawal due to injury, McGeady will likely be the focal point for the local boo boys in the ground where he played for the Bhoys. His captain stated at the pre-match press conference that the former Celtic player will revel in his return to Parkhead, despite any negative home fan reaction.

 

“Knowing Aiden as I do I don’t think it will affect him too much,” said Robbie Keane. “He will rise to the occasion like he has done for us in the last few games.”

 

With Glenn Whelan also unavailable, it is likely that O’Neill will play three across the middle with Darron Gibson, Stephen Quinn and Jeff Hendrick. With Marc Wilson an absence from the squad, Richard Keogh is likely to play centre-half alongside Ireland’s goalscoring hero in Germany, John O’Shea.

 

A corner of Celtic Park will contain the bulk of the Irish fans but there will be Ireland fans dotted all around the ground and manager Martin O’Neill is aware of what the support gives to his team.

 

“In Georgia we had a cluster of about 600 of our fans there. They made a lot of noise for us and helped us through a couple of difficult moments in that game. In Germany we had 2,500 people and that was fantastic. To share that moment [John O’Shea’s late goal] with them was terrific. I think the support we will get tomorrow will be great for us and very vocal.”

 

Referee:Milorad Mažic (Serbia).

 

 

MATCH STATS
In competitive matches between the sides, Scotland have two wins, there has been one draw and Ireland have one solitary victory – the famous 1-0 win in Hampden Park in 1987 thanks to Mark Lawrenson which was crucial in Ireland qualifying for EURO88.

 

The last time Ireland played in Scotland, the Boys in Green won 2-0 in Hampden Park in February 2003, in what was Brian Kerr’s first game in charge of the Irish national team. Kevin Kilbane and Clinton Morrison scored the goals that night.

 

Scotland’s last win against Ireland was in 2000. Don Hutchison and Barry Ferguson scored for Scotland in Lansdowne Road in a 2-1 win with Ireland’s goal coming from Craig Burley who put through his own net.

 

 

BETTING

Scotland 13/10; Draw 11/5; Ireland 11/5.

 

PREDICTION
1-0 away win.

 

Scotland

Injured: Phil Bardsley, James McArthur.

 

Republic of Ireland

Injured: James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan.