What a night, eh? Scotland are now top of their Nations League group as they head into the final game of this term's competition.
It wasn't all plain sailing at Hampden on Saturday evening after Steve Clarke's side went one down within the first 20 minutes. It wasn't quite the performance the Tartan Army were after in the first 45, with No.1 position in the group at stake after Ukraine regained the lead following their 5-0 thrashing of Armenia. No one was quite where they were during Wednesday night's impressive display.
But the boys in blue came out all guns blazing after the break, with Jack Hendry using his head to even things out just four minutes into the second half. And Scotland were hungry for more as the clock ticked on. It was a penalty that helped the home side secure all three points afterIreland's Browne handled the ball in the box. It was Ryan Christie who stepped up and hit home to the delight of the national stadium. And it means that just a point is needed to top the group when the side travel to Poland to face Ukraine.
Kieran Tierney was forced off early before Aaron Hickey joined him in the physio room in the second half, leaving a little bit of concern over Scotland's full-back situation ahead of next week's crucial clash. It wouldn't be Scotland if it was easy though, would it?
Overall, though, a positive evening and here is how Record Sport think each player performed...
CRAIG GORDON: No chance with opener as Egan rifled home through a ruck of players. Crucial one on one save to deny Parrott at 1-1 but gave crowd kittens when he blasted ball of Ogbene but saved rebound. 7
AARON HICKEY: Obvious choice to replace injured Patterson but had work cut out matching energy and power of James McClean. Stuck to his task without having much forward impact before being replaced by Tony Ralston after an hour. 6
JACK HENDRY: Good block to deny Parrott although was part of a defence that stood off at resultant corner for Ireland’s opener. More than made up for it when he found space to nod home equaliser and stood up to anything thrown at him thereafter. 7
SCOTT MCKENNA: Outmuscled by Nathan Collins at corner as Scotland defence caved in for opener and looked uncomfortable against front two of Obafemi and Parrott that caused so much bother in Dublin. 6
KIERAN TIERNEY: Kept left back position from Wednesday and bombed forward looking for openings only to meet his match in Matt Doherty. Replaced after 40 minutes by Greg Taylor after being caught on head in potential penalty call. 4
SCOTT McTOMINAY: Robbed of ball in build-up to opening goal but tried to keep things moving in a forwards direction in a congested engine room. Stayed patient and helped Scotland gain control after the break. 7
CALLUM McGREGOR: Mostly neat and tidy from skipper although a couple of loose balls almost put his team in bother. Was key to Scotland’s improvement after the break as he stepped up pace and dragged the midfield along with him. 7
JOHN McGINN: Big evening for talisman as he won 50th cap but missed huge chance to level after 28 minutes when he sidefooted weakly wide. Exerted more influence after the break and his corner led to penalty for winner. 7
RYAN CHRISTIE: Starved of space in the first half. Produced the bit of magic to unlock the Irish backline on 49 minutes, dummying Doherty to tee up Hendry for equaliser before keeping cool to slot home penalty winner. Also produced crucial headed clearance at 1-1. 8
STUART ARMSTRONG : Always looking to create but like Christie found himself crowded out in the final third in opening 45. Better after the break as Scotland started moving ball quicker before being replaced by Fraser. 6
LYNDON DYKES: Frustrating night for big frontman who was starved of service early on. Decent shift though and worked socks off to tire out visitors backline but without the craft of Che Adams or the same ability to run in behind. 7
SUBS:
GREG TAYLOR: On for the injured Tierney at left-back and helped quell threat of Doherty and Knight in the second half but without the same attacking threat as the Arsenal man. 6
TONY RALSTON: Replaced Hickey with half an hour to go and kept things simple and neat. 5
RYAN FRASER: On for Armstrong for last half hour and looked positive with a couple of dangerous balls whipped into danger area and a blistering shot well saved by Bazunu. 6
KENNY McLEAN: Replaced Christie with five minutes left and bolstered midfield for closing stages. 2
CHE ADAMS: On for Dykes for last five minutes and fresh legs helped see out win. 2
MAN OF THE MATCH: RYAN CHRISTIE
Struggled to get into game in first half but exploded to life as Scotland lifted the tempo after the break sending Doherty to the shops at Hendry’s opening goal and slotting home penalty for winner. In between times made a key back pst interception to stop Ireland going back ahead.
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