Scotland 2-1 Republic of Ireland: Steve Clarke’s side move within a point of promotion
Scotland are in the driving seat heading into Tuesday’s crunch match in Krakow, only needing a point to win the group and secure promotion to League A thanks to a 2-1 triumph over the Republic of Ireland at Hampden Park.
The full-time scoreboard at Hampden Park (Image: Getty)
The visitors struck first through a John Egan strike after 18 minutes, however Scotland were back on terms shortly after the break thanks to a header from Jack Hendry. From this point on, there were chances aplenty for both sides and the deadlock was sure to be broken, which it eventually was thanks to a Ryan Christie spot-kick with eight minutes left on the clock.
The game certainly was not plain sailing for Scotland, although the home side did have a few warning signs in the first-half, most notably when striker Troy Parrot found the back of the net, only for their blushes to be spared by the offside flag. The home side continued to be troubled by the visitors’ pace on the counter as they couldn’t keep up with Swansea City star Michael Obafemi, similar to the reverse fixture in Dublin. The pressure eventually told after 18 minutes as the Tartan Army failed to clear their lines from a corner and in the second phase, the Irish captain, John Egan struck a delightful volley past an unsighted Craig Gordon.
After Ireland went in front, the home crowd got a little restless and the previously buoyant fanbase turned slightly flat. Scotland had a mountain to climb if they wanted to regain top spot in Group B1 of the Nations League and climb it they did! Admittedly, the visitors remained in control until the interval, but Steve Clarke’s side came out a different team in the second-half.
They got the equaliser just four minutes after the restart as defender Jack Hendry continued his run from the back to meet Ryan Christie’s pinpoint cross. Now, the Hampden crowd were back on their feet, which gave the Scots a new lease of life and with only eight minutes left, they were afforded a lifeline. Following a VAR check, midfielder Alan Browne was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Ryan Christie stepped up to take it and the Bournemouth man calmly slotted it past Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.
Hendry heads home the equaliser for Scotland (Image: Getty)
The hosts held on for the remainder of the match, thanks in no small part to experienced shot-stopper Craig Gordon as they secured the three points.
Christie sends the ‘keeper the wrong way to seal the winning goal (Image: Getty)
Scotland are in the driving seat to secure promotion to League A, however, Steve Clarke has a few selection headaches going into Tuesday’s match with left-back Kieran Tierney and right-back Aaron Hickey forced off after 42 minutes and an hour respectively.. Having already lost Nathan Patterson and captain Andy Robertson being unavailable, it’s a real tough one for Clarke and his coaches to weigh up.
Also, Scott McTominay is now suspended for Tuesday, but with competition fierce in the Scotland midfield, someone will get an opportunity to stake a claim for a starting spot.
It was good win for Scotland with a Euro 2024 play-off spot still in their hands. The highest Stephen Kenny’s Ireland side can finish is third, making their final match against Armenia effectively a dead rubber.