Ireland travel to Celtic Park on November 14 for a crucial Euro 16 qualifying clash against Scotland. We have put together eight reasons why the key match against against the Scots is a fixture you simply do not want to miss.
Irish connection
There has been a strong link between Glasgow Celtic and the Irish soccer team for decades. Irish soccer legends such as Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy, Packie Bonner and Tony Cascarino have all played for the Scottish club and thanks to the Commonwealth games being held in Hampden Park, the Boys In Green get to play in Celtic Park, a stadium that is steeped in Irish tradition. It will also see the return of Martin O’Neill to the ground where he had his most successful years as a manager.
The Atmosphere
The Scottish fans have been in flying form in this campaign. So much so that the Polish crowd gave them a standing ovation as they exited the stadium after the dramatic 2-2 draw last month. After the high praise the Irish fans received for their passion during Euro 12, the Scottish supporters could be trying to steal our thunder a bit. Nonetheless, the atmosphere inside Celtic Park should be electric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpaUK65r7VQ
Rare fixture
Ireland don’t get drawn against the Scots too often, so make sure to savour it. The last time we played our neighbours to the East was in 2011. Robbie Keane netted the winner on that occasion to earn Ireland the now defunct Celtic Nations Cup. The teams met twice in the noughties with Ireland winning 2-0 in 2003 and Scotland emerging victorious in 2000 by 2-1. Before that though, Ireland hadn’t faced Scotland since the 80s.
Like a cup tie
Both Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan have hinted that conventional tactics may go out the window for this one. Strachan comparing the fixture to a club cup tie made us very excited for what could be a very unique international game.
Return of the Mc’s
Scottish-born Irish internationals James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady are expected to start against their motherland. This will mark the first time either have togged out for their national side against Scotland, with both of them having missed out on the Celtic Nations Cup final three years ago. Judging by McCarthy’s behaviour on social media, he’s really fired up for the match.
What a result last night from the boys @FAIreland Congrats to sheazy on the 100th cap. #BringOnTheScots
— James McCarthy (@JMcCarthy_16) October 15, 2014
All to play for
With Germany’s poor start to the qualifying game, the group is very much still for the taking. Many expected the World Cup champions to run away with the group but so far they have struggled against the lower ranked teams. A win for Ireland will widen the gap between them and the British side while a Scottish victory will blow the group wide open.
Last competitive game of 2014
This will be Ireland’s last competitive game of the calender year. However, a friendly against USA in the Aviva on November 18 could be enough to tide over international football enthusiasts until 2015.
It will actually be a good match
All the British and Irish sides (bar England) are performing excellently in this campaign. The fact that two of them get to square off in the qualifying stage is a mouth-watering prospect. With Scottish players like Steven Fletcher, Steven Naismith and Scott Brown all hitting fine form while Aiden McGeady’s currently playing some of the best football of his career, this is shaping up to be a spectacular match.
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