Republic of Ireland 1-1 Scotland

Todays point was hard fought and well earned in my opinion. From a Scotland perspective it gives us the opportunity to push on and, on paper at least, we have qualifying still in our own hands. This result puts the game against Poland at Hampden to the top of the International Calendar though I actually have a funny feeling that the game against Georgia could be the litmus test of our ambitions.

The game at the AVIVA Stadium was a scrappy affair in terms of attacking quality, neither team really getting in behind the other in a cagey first half. Ireland were robust and very physical throughout and were not afraid to get in and about the Scotland midfield. McCarthy may count himself fortunate to stay on for leading with an elbow against Russell Martin,especially off the back of a petulant swipe at Scott Brown that should have seen 2 separate yellow cards. Yet the worst decision was yet to come, the key incident that defined the first half and gave Ireland a crucial goal.

Jonathan Walters was clearly offside when he poached the opener off a creditable save by David Marshall from a bullet header. It wasn't even a marginal call and it is sad that a piece of dreadful officiating had broken the deadlock in a tense contest. Scotland had not been able to trouble the Ireland defence throughput the first half with a Steven Fletcher drive turned over the bar by Shay Given the best they could muster. Yet it should also be said that Irelands attacking play left a lot to be desired.

Unable to call on the attacking flair of McGeady, the Irish resorted to the long ball to Daryl Murphy and Jonathan Walters with a degree of success. Various flick ons led to a number of uncomfortable situations in the Scottish defensive third, Craig Forsyth in particular found it a struggle in that first half, gifting possession and losing out to Walters on a number of occassions. Scotland were not keeping the ball and yet Ireland continued to waste sustained pressure with dreadful delivery into the box.

So 1-0 down at the break and a right to feel aggrieved, would we see a Scotland feeling sorry for themselves and slump to a 3-0 defeat? Strachan made a positive change at the break, bringing on Anya for the ineffectual Ritchie (though he had no service at all) and the team came out with a greater sense of purpose and an instant reward for their improved control of the football. A nice one-two involving Shaun Maloney led to the Scot with the ball at his feet in the penalty box and surprisingly with a lot of space. A woeful shot followed that would have gone well wide but for the back of John O'Shea which diverted the ball past the beaten Shay Given and rolled into the corner of the net.

Irelands response was almost immediate as 4 green jerseys broke beyond Scott Brown and onto the exposed back 4. This was a truly frightening moment for all Scotland fans as the ball was slid to Daryl Murphy and he pinged a lot shot on the angle that was only denied by the inside of David Marshalls right leg, the ball floating across the penalty area until it was eventually cleared for a corner. I was surprised that Ireland did not try to run at Scotland with the ball a bit more. Russell Martin and Charlie Mulgrew are hardly speed demons.

Scotland for their part were beginning to play their football a bit more and would enjoy their best 20 minute spell of the game. It was back to basics stuff, keeping a hold of the ball, frustrating the Irish and causing a number of scary moments in the Irish box, one where Shay Given flapped at a deflected cross almost palming it against a Scotland jersey and another where the ball fell to Naismith in the box but he couldn't force the ball in from the angle.

Overall I would say that Scotland merited a point yet I am left with a feeling of what if? Perhaps if we'd shown a bit more attacking intent in the first half we might be talking about a famous victory. Yet there is also evidence to say if we had opened up more then we might have been exposed more to the pace of Brady or Long coming off the bench.

I am a satisfied Scot tonight as we sit with a genuine sporting chance of at least a play off. The progress of our National team continues.