SCOTLAND will be determined to edge closer in sealing Nations League group qualification when they take on Republic of Ireland TONIGHT.
Two wins over Armenia in June saw the Scots overcome the misery of failing to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
And they'll be hoping that they can find that form once again to top Group B League 1 come the conclusion of the group stages.
However, Scotland's one blip during the last international break was Republic of Ireland who demolished them 3-0 in Dublin.
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV/ live stream: Premier Sports 1/ Premier Sports website
- Scotland XI: Gordon, McTominay, Tierney, McGinn, McGregor, Dykes, Christie, Hendry, McKenna, Armstrong, Hickey
- Ireland XI: Bazunu, Collins, Egan, O'Shea, Doherty, Cullen, Molumby, Knight, McClean, Parrott, Obafemi
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- Kieran Davies
Ireland starting XI:
Gavin Bazunu and John Egan come into the side to replace the injured Caoimhin Kelleher and Darragh Lenihan at Hampden Park.
Matt Doherty returns to right wing-back, the player lavishing game time given his lack of opportunities at Tottenham this season.
1. Bazunu, 3. Doherty, 12. Collins, 5. Egan, 18. O'Shea, 11. McClean, 6. Cullen, 15. Molumby, 17. Knight, 10. Parrott, 9. Obafemi.
Credit: @FAIreland - Kieran Davies
Scotland subs:
12. L Kelly, 21. McCrorie, 2. Gallagher, 3. Taylor, 5. Porteous, 10. Adams, 14. Gilmour, 16. Ralston, 18. Doig, 19. Fraser, 20. Jack, 23. McClean
- Kieran Davies
Scotland starting XI:
Aaron Hickey comes in for the injured Nathan Patterson while Lyndon Dykes keeps his place after scoring two goals from the bench against Ukraine on Wednesday.
1. Gordon, 22. Hickey, 13. Hendry, 15. McKenna, 6. Tierney, 4. McTominay, 8. McGregor, 17. S Armstrong, 7. McGinn, 11. Christie, 9. Dykes
Credit: @ScotlandNT
- Kieran Davies
Kenny hoping lightening strikes twice
Stephen Kenny's side surprised many in the reverse fixture with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Dublin.
Ireland's only victory from 14 UEFA Nations League matches came in June (D6, L7).
Scotland have won one of their last five matches against Ireland (D1, L3), the solitary win coming in the last fixture they hosted.
- Kieran Davies
Home is where the heart is
Scotland are unbeaten in all six of their home matches in the UEFA Nations League (W5, D1).
They have kept four clean sheets in this run.
Only Germany and Italy (seven games each) have played more games on home soil without losing in the competition.
Credit: SNS - Kieran Davies
Luck of the Irish running out
There stood a very remote chance of Stephen Kenny's side qualifying from the group mathematically until Ukraine's dominant 5-0 win in Armenia earlier today.
Avoiding relegation to the lower tier is now key for Kenny's men.
With seeding for the Euros now heavily affected by the UEFA Nations League, Ireland need to ensure they stay above Armenia in the group.
- Kieran Davies
Ireland eyes focussed on task
Republic of Ireland's manager has spoke about the challenge his side faces this evening with so much still at stake.
Scotland were very good the other day, they played very well and to be honest with you, they’ve been very good since Steve Clarke took charge and qualified for the Euros. They’ve consistently been good so anything we get, we know we’ll definitely have to earn that. For us, we have to focus on ourselves and make sure we’re right, that’s what we are firmly focused on. You have to adapt for sure, you can’t play the same way, you have to adapt to your opponent. That’s the nature of football.
Stephen KennyIreland manager
- Kieran Davies
Highs and lows of seeding
Scotland head into this game full of confidence, knowing that victory would take them to the top of the group with one game to play.
If their next two games go according to plan, Scotland will be looking for their first-ever promotion to League A.
Ireland meanwhile, are focussing on preventing relegation from this tier, finding themselves a solitary point away from Armenia who sit bottom.
- Kieran Davies
Meatball key to Tartan success
John McGinn was the stand-out performer against Ukraine, pulling the strings from the centre of midfield, getting on the scoresheet in the process.
The Aston Villa midfielder has been involved in 13 goals in his 16 home starts under manager Steve Clarke (10 goals. 3 assists).
However, he has failed to register on home soil in the UEFA Nations League.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Scotland vs Ireland
Scotland welcome the Republic of Ireland to Hampden Park this evening with the destiny of League B Group 1, firmly in their own hands.
Sitting in second place, one point behind group leaders Ukraine, victory this evening would take the Tartan Army to the top of the group with one game remaining.
This would set up a showdown with Ukraine on Tuesday in Poland, with the hosts knowing only victory would return them to the top of the group.
Scotland will be without Nathan Patterson after he was stretchered off with a knee injury against Ukraine.
Defenders Josh Doig and Declan Gallagher were called up to the Scotland squad after Nathan Patterson and midfielder David Turnbull withdrew.
Lyndon Dykes may get the nod to start over Che Adams after his impact from the bench on Wednesday, scoring two goals in the process.
Aaron Hickey is expected to deputise for the injured Patterson at right-back.
Caoimhin Kelleher and Darragh Lenihan are both absent from the Republic of Ireland squad, with Gavin Bazunu and John Egan in line to replace the injured pair.
Despite his lack of game time for Tottenham, Matt Doherty may be restored at right wing-back, but the remainder of the team from the 1-1 draw in Ukraine (Poland) are expected to play.
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