More fool anybody who thought Scotland would do this the easy way. Only a draw was required from the visit of the Republic of Ireland to Glasgow for the same outcome from Tuesday’s meeting with Ukraine to see Steve Clarke’s men seal top spot in Group B1 of the Nations League.
Scotland duly fell a goal behind, which triggered the kind of nervousness that is natural for a supporter base who have known the darkest of times. New Scotland, though, means new attitudes; a composed second 45 minutes secured the win that earlier seemed unlikely. Scotland still need to avoid defeat in Krakow but they will fly to Poland in fine spirits.
Ukraine’s victory in Armenia earlier in the day ended faint Irish hopes of topping this section. All that remained for Stephen Kenny and his team was to see whether they could puncture Scottish confidence for a second time. In June, Ireland breezed past the Scots at the Aviva Stadium.
Conscious of that wounding evening, Clarke opted against the batch of changes that may have been reasonable given a schedule of three matches inside a week. Aaron Hickey, as expected, replaced the injured Nathan Patterson at right-back and Lyndon Dykes took the place of Che Adams in attack, but Scotland otherwise retained the starting XI from Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Ukraine.
That Kenny opted to leave Shane Duffy among his substitutes drew surprise. The centre-back caused chaos from set pieces when these sides last met. John Egan, Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea formed the visiting back line.
England’s struggles at international level had not gone at all unnoticed by the Tartan Army, as the atmosphere in the early stages illustrated. The expectant home support were briefly silenced by Troy Parrott, who lashed into the roof of the net, before a typically belated – but correct – offside flag was raised. Scotland had been served with a warning. It was one they failed to hear.
Scott McTominay’s dalliance on the ball in midfield allowed Michael Obafemi to steal in. Obafemi fed Parrott, who watched his shot blocked by Jack Hendry. From the resulting James McClean corner, Dykes could only half clear. Jayson Molumby knocked down towards Egan, who slammed home from six yards. Scotland started the evening requiring a point; they now needed at least one goal.
It took close to half an hour for the Scots to threaten the Ireland goal. John McGinn, on the occasion of his 50th cap, should have stroked Stuart Armstrong cross beyond Gavin Bazunu but instead miscued. This summed up Scotland’s anxious state.
Clarke’s challenge was soon made even greater. Kieran Tierney landed awkwardly from an innocuous tussle with Parrott at a Scotland corner. The Arsenal defender looked keen to continue but Scotland’s medical staff had other ideas. A visibly distracted Tierney would play no further part in proceedings. Clarke had wrestled with the decision on whether to start Tierney here.
The interval allowed Scotland an opportunity to gather some composure. Within five minutes of the restart they were level. Ryan Christie displayed wonderful trickery on the left flank, leaving Matt Doherty gasping for air. Christie’s floated cross was met by Hendry, with the centre-back’s header bouncing into the net via a post. The failure to utilize Christie’s creativity had been a fundamental Scotland failing before half-time. Scotland had Craig Gordon, their evergreen goalkeeper, to thank for Ireland not quickly regaining the lead.
Callum McGregor cheaply coughed up possession as Scotland looked to attack, which left Obafemi and Parrott rampaging towards Gordon. Obafemi played in his strike partner, who was denied by the 39 year old. This had the look of a crucial moment. So too did Gordon’s swift reactions after he whacked a clearance against the onrushing Chiedozie Ogbene
Given the competitive context, it was to Scotland’s credit that they opted to press for a winner. It arrived from the penalty spot, Alan Browne having been penalized for handball at a McGinn corner. Browne, a substitute, was adjudged to have blocked McTominay’s header although how much the Preston North End midfielder knew about it is anybody’s guess. Following a VAR check, Christie strode forward to pass the ball beyond Bazunu. Scotland had been rewarded for patience and enterprise. Yet again.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism