Match ends, Scotland 1, Republic of Ireland 0.
ScotlandScotland1R. of IrelandRepublic of Ireland0
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.
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.
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.
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.
Line-ups
Scotland
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 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
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 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
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Scotland 1, Republic of Ireland 0.
Post update
Offside, Republic of Ireland. Robbie Brady tries a through ball, but Richard Keogh is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Seamus Coleman (Republic of Ireland) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Aiden McGeady with a cross.
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Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Steven Naismith.
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Foul by Grant Hanley (Scotland).
Post update
Jonathan Walters (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Stephen Quinn (Republic of Ireland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Stephen Quinn (Republic of Ireland).
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Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland).
Substitution
Substitution, Scotland. Darren Fletcher replaces Ikechi Anya.
Post update
David Marshall (Scotland) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland).
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Corner, Republic of Ireland. Conceded by Grant Hanley.
Booking
Andrew Robertson (Scotland) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Andrew Robertson (Scotland).
Post update
Richard Keogh (Republic of Ireland) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Scotland).
