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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Scotland v Ireland 'a bit of a missed opportunity' due to Celtic v Leipzig clash

Lisa Fallon believes tonight's massive World Cup play-off between Scotland and the Republic of Ireland in Glasgow feels like "a bit of a missed opportunity".

The Hampden Park clash kicks off at the exact same time as Celtic's Champions League meeting with Leipzig across the city at Celtic Park.

While coach and pundit Fallon is hopeful that a big crowd will still be in attendance for Ireland's clash with Scotland, she feels that more could have been done to put the match "front and centre".

READ MORE: Underdog tag doesn't bother Vera Pauw ahead of Scotland v Ireland

She told RTE Radio 1's Morning Ireland: "There was over 10,000 in Hampden Park last Thursday [when they beat Austria] and it was a really dour, horrible night. The rain... the wind... it was awful conditions. They still got a big crowd and I still think there'll be a big crowd there tonight despite the men's Champions League game across the city.

"But it is a bit of a missed opportunity to hype up these women's games and put them front and centre. Hopefully it's the only missed opportunity we're talking about later on tonight."

On how she sees the game going, Fallon added: "I think Scotland are a slightly better opponent for Ireland in the way that they play. Austria are a team that like to sit in; they almost play the way Ireland play but Scotland will come out and play. The game then should be a bit more open and will suit the strengths of this Irish team, which is to be a little bit more defensive and structured and then counter-attack.

Lisa Fallon (©INPHO/James Crombie)

"I think we will get spaces and opportunities to counter-attack and play through Scotland, who will be a little bit more open than the Austrians would have been.

"I'm quietly confident and when you look across the squads and the players available, Ireland have a really, really good team. There is a lot of depth in the team, despite the countless number of injuries that are there.

"People have talked about tonight and whether it's about a good performance or a result? There is no denying - tonight is about a result. You do what you have to do to go and win tonight's game because it's a game-changer potentially for all these players and for women's football in Ireland."

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