Ireland started well in both halves before Scotland put the squeeze on and claimed all three points at Celtic Park.
David Forde 7
Came for crosses and claimed under pressure, even when elbows were flying. Got his body behind a couple of long-range efforts in the first half. Could do little with the Shaun Maloney goal. Created mini ructions when he sprinted up for the final corner.
Seamus Coleman 5
Frustrating to see the Donegal native shackled to defensive duties. Ikechi Anya caused Coleman some headaches but, more often than not, he withdrew into the box – a clear Irish tactic to get bodies in to disrupt Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith. Did well to put Charlie Mulgrew off when he looked primed to head home. Rambled forward after the break to win a corner. Booked soon after for obstruction and lucky not to be sent off for planting his studs on Naismith’s ankle.
John O’Shea 6
The Irish captain was riled by Naismith early on but regained his composure to get in a series of important blocks and clearing headers. Crucial, sliding clearance to take the ball off Naismith’s toes on the six-yard line. Ruffled feathers in the Scottish box as Ireland sought a leveller.
Richard Keogh 7
Brave headers to clear his lines and did well to shepherd Naismith away from goal when they were one-v-one in the box. Guilty of a few hacked clearances when put under pressure. Pressed forward to win a free kick on the right wing as Ireland chased an equaliser.
Stephen Ward 6
Got forward in support of McClean at a greater frequency than Coleman. Delivered two good crosses that had the Scots sweating. Unfortunately, Ward went A.W.O.L in defence on numerous occasions. When he was back on patrol he allowed Steve Whittaker and Shaun Maloney get testing crosses in.
Aiden McGeady 5
Clearly unsettled by the pantomime boos. A shadow of his livewire self and rushed passes and crosses. Usually takes too many touches in possession but seemed eager to get the ball away from him as quick as possible. Tackled back well when dropping back to defend and nicked the ball of Anya as he wound up to shoot in the Irish box. Started the half with a nice jink, turn of pace and cross that found Walters and earned a corner. Flashing shot well saved by David Marshall.
Jeff Hendrick 5
Did not cover himself in glory in the opening half as he received a yellow card for a thunderous tackle and was wasteful in possession. Gave up a long-range chance to effort when he was muscled off the ball having unwisely opted to chest the ball down outside the box. Sat in front of the back four as the game progressed. Needless shove on Naismith ceded free that led to Walters’ heading onto his own crossbar. Nut-megged by Maloney just before the opener.
Darron Gibson 5
Bypassed with increasing frequency as the game progressed. His major contributions in the first half included winning headers, getting booked and losing a 50/50 in the centre circle that led to an Anya sighter. Hauled ashore after 67 minutes.
James McClean 6
Got crosses into the box with regularity with the quality varying from useful to useless. Scots funneled him towards the corner flag a couple of times and crowded him out. Battled well all night and nicked the ball well to turn defence into attack. Wasted a corner near the end of the first half. Allowed Naismith to slide by him and square a ball that Chris Martin should have scored.
Shane Long 5
Was lucky not to receive a yellow card for a clumsy first-half foul. Won flick-ons and linked up well with Walters on a couple of occasions but their partnership often lacked true synergy. Had a header saved from five yards out as Walters nodded goalwards. Withdrawn on 67 minutes.
Jon Walters 7
Walters was everywhere for Ireland during his attacking midfielder/front-man stint. His best work included winning corners, frees, and retaining possession. Two long range punts on goal, one wild swing that nearly unearthed a corner flag, a header that skimmed well wide and another that earned a corner. Denied Naismith a certain goal but Scotland scored the resulting corner.
Substitutes
Stephen Quinn 5
(For Gibson ’67) Looked to get on the ball and distribute when he entered the fray. Saw yellow for a foul on Mulgrew.
Robbie Brady 6
(For Long ’67) Won a corner with his first contribution of the night. Whipped in a wicked, in-swinging free and his corners were light years ahead of McGeady and McClean’s. Late free skimmed off a Scottish head and thwacked the crossbar.
Robbie Keane 5
(For Hendrick ’77) Buzzed with intent in his brief cameo but failed to fashion a clear-cut chance.
WATCH: Liverpool BOTTLED the title race 🤬 | Who will win the Premier League?
