The Scottish Football Association has been granted permission to talk to Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill regarding its' vacant manager's position, it is understood.

Northern Ireland face a huge battle to keep hold of in-demand manager Michael O’Neill after the Scottish Football Association yesterday made an official approach for the Armagh man.

Scotland began life after Gordon Strachan with a friendly defeat by Holland at Pittodrie after Memphis Depay netted a controversial winner.

Northern Ireland celebrated a World Cup qualifying play-off place despite a 1-0 defeat in Norway as Scotland's bid ended in heartache.

Gordon Strachan bemoaned Scotland's genetic make-up after his side lost out on a World Cup play-off on goal difference following a 2-2 draw in Slovenia.

The Republic of Ireland now know that a win away to Wales tomorrow guarantees them at least a World Cup play-off spot.

Scotland's 2018 World Cup hopes remain alive after a sensational late winner in the victory over 10-man Slovakia at Hampden Park.

Hibernian boss Neil Lennon claims John McGinn is ready to boost Scotland's World Cup hopes after scoring a stunning double in the 2-2 draw with Celtic at Parkhead.

Down to third place in Group D, but not yet out of contention for a ticket to the World Cup finals in Russia, Ireland’s hopes almost certainly rest on winning both of their remaining qualifiers, against Moldova in Dublin and Wales in Cardiff next month.

Scotland remain in the hunt for a World Cup qualification play-off spot.

After helping contain last season’s Premier League top two on their home patches, Stephen Ward might be tempted into thinking today’s assignment in Georgia is a formality.

Celtic great Bertie Auld feels like he has lost a family member following the death of fellow Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell.

England 3 Scotland 0: On a day when both teams took on FIFA and won, the 113th match between England and Scotland ended, as it has done rather often in recent history, with three points for the men in white but frustration for those north of the border who left Wembley ruminating on missed chances and wasted opportunities.

Seamus Coleman won’t allow ominous weather bulletins, or storm clouds blowing towards Everton, distract him from his priority of World Cup qualification.

For the week that’s in it, what could be more appropriate than to address the congregation with a reading from the Book Of Bob?

Substitute James McArthur rescued a World Cup point for Scotland with a late headed equaliser against Lithuania at Hampden.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers need to sign a minimum of three new players if they are to progress in this year’s Champions League, according to former Bhoys great John Hartson.

Wales’ march to the semi-finals was the continuation of the momentum which had been generated through an impressive qualifying campaign, writes Liam Mackey.

Serious questions have arisen around transactions between the suicide bereavement charity Console and its UK-based sister organisation as more properties and bank accounts have come to light, the High Court has heard.

Blaise Matuidi’s late strike steered France to a 3-2 victory over Holland on an emotional night at the Amsterdam Arena.

Martin O’Neill believes his team’s Euro qualification prevented a pre-Christmas gloom descending on the Irish public given the disappointment of the recent Rugby World Cup.

The Irish suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console says its new London-based counselling rooms donated by the family of former Welsh footballer and manager, Gary Speed, will save lives.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Steven Fletcher scored his second Group D hat-trick against Gibraltar tonight.

Poland manager Adam Nawalka has warned Scotland and the Republic of Ireland that they will have to cope with “the best striker in the world” in Robert Lewandowski as the Group D qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 reaches its finale.

Backs to the wall — that’s the popular consensus on where stands the Irish football team as a depleted line-up prepares to face world champions Germany at the Aviva Stadium tonight.

Scotland assistant coach Mark McGhee is more encouraged by the fact that his strikers are scoring than fearful of Robert Lewandowski’s stunning form.

Group D’s qualification permutations became a lot clearer following Monday night’s results ahead of two final rounds of fixtures in October.

Scotland 2 Germany 3: Scotland would probably have settled for two goals against the world champions before this Euro 2016 Group D qualifier kicked off but, crucially, the three they conceded leaves them behind Ireland in the playoff hunt.

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan insists Friday’s hold-up in Georgia has had no effect on preparations for the crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany at Hampden Park tonight.

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan felt his players were short of the accuracy needed to break down a stubborn Georgia defence as his team fell to a 1-0 European Championship qualifying defeat.

Northern Ireland took a major stride towards their first major finals since 1986 tonight.

If this stellar weekend for Irish sport was Live Aid, then Gibraltar versus Ireland would be Status Quo — bottom of the bill, and everyone knows what to expect.

Mediocre performance but a night that change’s the group dynamic.