The Tartan Army joined their Irish counterparts for a rendition of “England’s going down” as the night got started at Hampden. By the end, the only noise came from Scotland support as they roared in delight as their team kept their Nations League promotion chase bang on track.
Both sets of punters were taking great delight in the misfortune suffered by Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions this week after they were relegated from the A League. Yet it looked like Steve Clarke ’s side had that sinking feeling too after allowing Stephen Kenny’s men to take an early lead through John Egan.
That result would have knocked them off Group B1’s top spot ahead of Tuesday’s do-or-die clash with Ukraine in Poland. But instead, it is the Scots now in full command of their destiny thanks to Jack Hendry ’s equaliser just after the break and a late Ryan Christie spot-kick.
The win means draw in Krakow will be enough to clinch the section and a guaranteed play-off spot for Euro 2024.
The only down side to a night that saw stand-in skipper John McGinn win his his 50th cap was a suspected concussion that could rule Arsenal star Kieran Tierney out of the Ukraine rematch.
Scotland marched out of the tunnel still buzzing from Wednesday’s stunning win over Oleksandr Petrakov’s team.
The red-hot 3-0 rampage was arguably the most complete display of Clarke’s three-year tenure so it was no surprise to see him stick largely by the team that produced it.
The good news was that expectant dad Craig Gordon was spared another dash to the maternity ward after Wednesday scare. One of the two changes he made was enforced as Aaron Hickey replaced the injured Nathan Patterson while super sub Lyndon Dykes was rewarded for his double off the bench with a start as he took Che Adams’ place up front.
Ireland had learned earlier in the day that they were already out of the promotion chase after Ukraine’s 5-0 thumping of Armenia. Yet they were still in buoyant mood themselves having turned the hosts over when they squared off in Dublin back in June.
Kenny selected a line-up containing eight members of the team that strolled to a 3-0 win at the Aviva, with keeper Gavin Banzunu, Spurs wing-back Matt Doherty and West Brom’s Dara O’Shea the incomers.
And it was the visitors who started where they left off in the summer. Scotland neutered the technical superiority that gave Ukraine the clear edge in their World Cup play-off victory by raising the stakes with their energy and desire.
This time it was Ireland who dominated the physical collisions as they immediately threw Clarke’s team off their midweek rhythm. Kenny’s team thought they had the opener inside 11 minutes as Troy Parrott raced away from Scott McTominay before rifling past Gordon.
However, the Preston striker’s celebrations were halted by an offside flag which had it been any later would have missed the last bus home.
But that merely delayed what was coming. Scotland lost the opener against the Irish back in the summer from a corner and it was their undoing again this time.
Dykes cleared a James McClean corner but Jayson Molumby wanted the second ball more than Callum McGregor as he headed back into the mixer.
Nathan Collins couldn’t tame the loose ball but Egan only needed one touch as he slammed past Gordon. Scotland did respond with the odd attack but nothing that overly worried their opponents. Christie took the wrong option when Stuart Armstrong both burst into the box as the move came to nothing while McGinn fluffed a big chance as he skewed wide from 15 yards out.
There was another injury blow four days on from losing Patterson before half-time. Unlike the Everton kid, Tierney left the pitch under his own steam as he was replaced by Greg Taylor but the bang to the head he took after a tangle with Parrott may rule him out of Tuesday’s trip to Krakow if concussion fears proved well founded.
Ireland were lucky to see out the first half with their full compliment, however. There was just 30 seconds between Josh Cullen earning a yellow card for a foul on McGinn before the Burnley midfielder then wiped out Hickey.
Swiss referee Sandro Scharer kept the numbers level as his cards stayed in his pocket - and it took just four minutes of the second half for Scotland to square up the scoreboard too.
Hendry started the move as he burst out of defence and he was there to finish it as he got on the end of a delightful cross following good work out left by Christie, thumping home with a header for his third international goal.
It looked like Scotland had finally clicked back into their midweek top gear. But a misfire from McGregor gave Ireland a glorious chance to regain the lead as they broke away from a loose pass from the Celtic skipper.
Christie tried and failed to wipe out Michael Obafemi, who took Hendry out of the equation as he rolled Parrott through on goal.
But it was Gordon’s big wings that rescued the hosts as the keeper stood up to make a goal-saving block.
The Hearts No.1 didn’t look too clever moments later though as he fired a clearance off Chiedozie Ogbene but thankfully there was no time for the Irish sub to sort his feet and Gordon regathered.
Ryan Fraser climbed off the bench to sting Bazunu’s hands while Doherty had to head clear from under his own bar as McTominay lurked for Scotland.
Just as it began to feel a draw was on the cards Scotland got their big break with 10 minutes left as one of Ireland’s Dublin goal heroes left an arm dangling as McTominay met a McGinn header. Scharer had no hesitation pointing to the spot and after a brief VAR check, Christie got the go ahead to stroke home the winner.
Maturity and experience
Steve Clarke spoke in the build-up to the game about the experience and the nous which is being gathered by his squad and it was evident in spades. Ireland made this a fight. Niggly fouls, breaking up play. When they went a goal ahead, it was a test of the Scots' mentality and character not to lose their game discipline. That they stayed composed, mature and built their way back into the contest before half-time was impressive. It spoke volumes for them and also allowed them to go on and win after the break.
Flying Ryan
Christie is often unfairly tarred as a luxury player, but those notions were dispelled once and for all with a selfless display against Ukraine and he again put his body on the line and produced touches of class to help dig out the win. The dance to the byeline and delightful lift into the box for Hendry to head the equaliser was outstanding. The finish from the spot was cool as ice. But it was the foraging back into his own box at 1-1 to clear at the back post away from Seamus Coleman which summed him up. Absolutely sensational.
Jack the lad
Hendry came up with a vital goal for his country just when they needed it and his stock is rising with every appearance. The former Celtic and Dundee centre-back has the pace and the physique to deliver at this level and is now proving it. The header from Christie’s cross proved his threat to opponents, but the brave block in his own box just afterwards to preserve the lead was even better. That’s what he’s there to do.
Hickey settling nicely
Left-back has long been a strong area with Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson playing at the highest level south of the border and, looking at Hickey, Clarke now has two crackers for the other side when Nathan Patterson is fit again. The Brentford ace was composed in tight situations and has really strengthened up. He also did brilliantly to hold up Michael Obafemi in a two-on-two after McTominay was sacked in the middle of the park. So unfortunate for him and the manager to see him go off.
House of Fraser
The Newcastle United winger has firmly re-established his place in this squad. The St James’s Park ace provided the two set-pieces for Lyndon Dykes to score against Ukraine and he was electric when coming onto the field against the Irish. The former Aberdeen and Bournemouth attacker has the intelligence to go with his speed and he should be a vital weapon available to the manager in the years ahead if he can stay fit and firing. Time is a healer.
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