Scotland v Republic of Ireland background
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Article summary
Scotland will look to record their first home win against the Republic of Ireland since May 1961 as the nations meet in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group D.
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Article body
With four points from their last two fixtures, both of these sides will be keen to maintain their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group D momentum.
Match background
• Ireland's Robbie Keane became the record goalscorer in European Championship qualifying (including play-offs), netting his 19th, 20th and 21st goals in that category against Gibraltar on matchday two.
• Scotland's record in nine matches against Ireland is W3 D2 L4. They have lost their last two home fixtures against Ireland – 1-0 in a 1987 UEFA European Championship qualifier, and 3-0 in a 2003 friendly fixture.
• Scotland's last win against Ireland came in a friendly in Dublin on 30 May 2000, goals from Don Hutchison and Barry Ferguson propelling them towards a 2-1 win after Craig Burley's own goal had put the hosts in front.
• Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has club history in common with his opposite numbers: he replaced Ireland coach Martin O'Neill as Celtic FC boss in 2005, and coached O'Neill's assistant Roy Keane at Celtic in the final season of the midfielder's playing career.