Euro 2016: Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Shaun Maloney (left) opened the scoring for Scotland at Celtic Park

A superb Shaun Maloney goal earned Scotland a precious and hard-fought victory over the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier.

From a short corner, Maloney squeezed the ball into the feet of Scott Brown, whose back-heel allowed the winger to curl an exquisite shot home.

There was a late scare for the Scots as Grant Hanley's header hit his own bar.

They now draw level with the Irish and Germany on seven points after four games, with Poland three points clear.

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A mesmerising spectacle - Strachan

Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had spoken of his belief that his Irish side could win on his return to Celtic Park. Instead, it was his successor at the club, Gordon Strachan, who enjoyed the happier homecoming.

Another of the pre-match talking points was the expected booing of the Scots-born Ireland winger Aiden McGeady and his reception was suitably hostile - he was treated by the home fans as the pantomime villain.

From the outset, the pace of the game was frenetic. The tackling was tenacious and, at times, downright careless, leading to early bookings for Hanley, McGeady and his Ireland team-mate, Jeff Hendrick.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill was left disappointed at his former club ground

The passion on show almost made up for the dearth of football, with precious few chances created in the opening half-hour.

Jon Walters and Darron Gibson did force David Marshall into saves, but there was little to worry either goalkeeper.

Scotland's play under Strachan has come to be typified by slick attacking play and it was one such passage that almost brought about the opening goal.

Steven Naismith foraged away before picking out Maloney on the right. The winger's cross was whipped in for the charging Charlie Mulgrew, but his header flew wide.

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Interview - Scotland captain Scott Brown

That was the cue for some concerted Scots pressure, which should have been rewarded only for Steven Fletcher to somehow fail to connect with another Maloney cross.

O'Neill's side lifted their game at the start of the second period and Marshall saved a close-range Shane Long header before brilliantly turning away a McGeady volley.

Fletcher's replacement, Chris Martin, almost made an instant impact, firing just wide after good play again by Maloney and Naismith.

However, just as the visitors had tried to shut up shop by taking off Long and adding a fifth midfielder, Scotland made the breakthrough.

It leaves Group D very open as the qualifiers come to an end for 2014.

There were many split loyalties at Celtic Park ahead of kick-off

Ireland's Martin O'Neill and Scotland counterpart Gordon Strachan are both former Celtic managers

Steven Fletcher missed a couple of chances for Scotland before going off injured

Shaun Maloney's shot evaded the reach of Irish goalkeeper David Forde

Scotland were the ones celebrating the three points at the final whistle

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Scotland

• 1Marshall
• 2Whittaker
• 4Martin
• 5HanleyBooked at 12mins
• 15RobertsonBooked at 82mins
• 8Brown
• 3Mulgrew
• 6Maloney
• 10Naismith
• 11AnyaSubstituted forFletcherat 88'minutes
• 9FletcherSubstituted forMartinat 56'minutes

Substitutes

• 12Gordon
• 13Martin
• 14Berra
• 16Dorrans
• 17Bannan
• 18Greer
• 19Fletcher
• 20Burke
• 21Gilks
• 22Russell
• 23May

R. of Ireland

• 1Forde
• 2ColemanBooked at 59mins
• 22Keogh
• 4O'Shea
• 3Ward
• 7McGeadyBooked at 15mins
• 14GibsonSubstituted forQuinnat 69'minutesBooked at 90mins
• 8HendrickBooked at 29minsSubstituted forKeaneat 78'minutes
• 11McClean
• 19Walters
• 9LongSubstituted forBradyat 68'minutes

Substitutes

• 5Clark
• 6Christie
• 10Keane
• 12Meyler
• 13Pilkington
• 15McGoldrick
• 16Randolph
• 17Brady
• 18Quinn
• 20Pearce
• 21Murphy
• 23Given

Referee:

Milorad Mazic

Match Stats

Home TeamScotlandAway TeamR. of Ireland

Possession

Home58%

Away42%

Shots

Home13

Away9

Shots on Target

Home2

Away4

Corners

Home3

Away8

Fouls

Home10

Away18

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Scotland 1, Republic of Ireland 0.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+5'

Second Half ends, Scotland 1, Republic of Ireland 0.

Posted at 90'+4'

Offside, Republic of Ireland. Robbie Brady tries a through ball, but Richard Keogh is caught offside.

Posted at 90'+3'

Attempt blocked. Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Aiden McGeady with a cross.

Posted at 90'+3'

Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Steven Naismith.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by Grant Hanley (Scotland).

Posted at 90'+2'

Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Booking

Posted at 90'

Stephen Quinn (Republic of Ireland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 90'

Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 90'

Foul by Stephen Quinn (Republic of Ireland).

Posted at 89'

Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 89'

Foul by Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland).

Substitution

Posted at 88'

Substitution, Scotland. Darren Fletcher replaces Ikechi Anya.

Posted at 84'

David Marshall (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 84'

Foul by Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland).

Posted at 83'

Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Grant Hanley.

Booking

Posted at 82'

Andrew Robertson (Scotland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 82'

Foul by Andrew Robertson (Scotland).

Posted at 82'

Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 81'

Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland).

Posted at 81'

Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 81'

Attempt blocked. Ikechi Anya (Scotland) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Charlie Mulgrew.

Posted at 79'

Attempt missed. Grant Hanley (Scotland) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Shaun Maloney with a cross.

Posted at 79'

Chris Martin (Scotland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 79'

Foul by Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland).

Substitution

Posted at 78'

Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Robbie Keane replaces Jeff Hendrick.

Posted at 76'

Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Andrew Robertson.

Goal!

Posted at 74'

Goal! Scotland 1, Republic of Ireland 0. Shaun Maloney (Scotland) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Scott Brown following a corner.

Posted at 74'

Corner, Scotland. Conceded by Jonathan Walters.

Posted at 73'

Steven Naismith (Scotland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 73'

Foul by Jeff Hendrick (Republic of Ireland).

Posted at 71'

Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 71'

Foul by Stephen Quinn (Republic of Ireland).

Posted at 69'

Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Grant Hanley.

Substitution

Posted at 69'

Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Stephen Quinn replaces Darron Gibson.

Substitution

Posted at 68'

Substitution, Republic of Ireland. Robbie Brady replaces Shane Long.

Posted at 66'

Offside, Republic of Ireland. Stephen Ward tries a through ball, but Jonathan Walters is caught offside.

Posted at 66'

Attempt missed. Chris Martin (Scotland) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Steven Naismith with a cross.

Posted at 63'

Attempt missed. Chris Martin (Scotland) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Steven Whittaker with a cross.

Posted at 63'

Attempt blocked. Shaun Maloney (Scotland) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Chris Martin.

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