They frustrate and they disappoint. They can display all the get up and go of a moody teenager, but this Republic of Ireland side has at least developed a handy knack of making you smile just when you have all but despaired of them.

After a second-half performance against Georgia that was as different to the first as day is to night, Ireland have taken a four-point lead over Scotland in the race for a play-off place for Euro 2016.

This felt big, but Martin O’Neill greeted victory last night with a cautious optimism.

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.