Republic of Ireland v Scotland background

The Republic of Ireland will look to scrap their way back into contention for a top-two finish in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group D as they welcome Scotland.

Previous meetings
• Shaun Maloney scored the only goal on 75 minutes as Scotland beat Ireland 1-0 at Celtic Park in their first Group D meeting back in November.

• Ireland's record in ten games against Scotland is now W4 D2 L4; in terms of competitive fixtures, Ireland have beaten Scotland only once in five encounters (W1 D1 L3) – 1-0 in a UEFA European Championship qualifier in 1987.

Form guide 
• Ireland are without a win in their last three Group D games (D2 L1) since a 7-0 defeat of Gibraltar in Dublin.

• Scotland are yet to triumph away from home in Group D (D1 L1).

• Scotland beat Gibraltar 6-1 last time out in Group D, with Steven Fletcher scoring his nation's first hat-trick since Colin Stein plundered four goals against Cyprus in 1969.

Trivia and links 
• Plenty more of the nations' players are club-mates in England:
- Ireland's Paul McShane, David Meyler, Robbie Brady and Stephen Quinn, and Scotland's Andrew Robertson (Hull City AFC)
- Scotland's Christophe Berra and Ireland's David McGoldrick (Ipswich Town FC)
- Ireland's Richard Keogh and Cyrus Christie, and Scotland's Craig Forsyth and Johnny Russell (Derby County FC)
- Ireland's John O'Shea and Scotland's Steven Fletcher (Sunderland AFC)
- Ireland's Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady, and Scotland's Steven Naismith (Everton FC)
- Scotland's Alan Hutton and Ireland's Shay Given (Aston Villa FC)
- Ireland's Marc Wilson, Jonathan Walters and Glenn Whelan, and Scotland's Charlie Adam (Stoke City FC)
- Ireland's Wes Hoolahan and Scotland's Russell Martin and Steven Whittaker (Norwich City FC)
- Ireland's Harry Arter and Scotland's Matt Ritchie (AFC Bournemouth)

• Ireland's Robbie Keane is the record goalscorer in European Championship qualifying (including play-offs), with 21 goals: Cristiano Ronaldo and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (17 each) are the only current internationals who are close to his total.

• Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has club history in common with his opposite numbers: he replaced Ireland coach Martin O'Neill as Celtic boss in 2005, and coached O'Neill's assistant Roy Keane at Celtic in the final season of the midfielder's playing career.