Scotland midfielder Shaun Maloney admits they are desperate not to come away empty-handed from their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. But the Hull playmaker believes they can channel that hunger in a positive manner when they host Poland on October 8.

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 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.

With Gibraltar v Ireland on September 4 regarded by many – if not Martin O’Neill – as a foregone conclusion, there will almost be as much interest from Irish supporters in the Georgia v Scotland and Germany v Poland games which also take place in European Championship Group D on the same day.

Seamus Coleman has admitted the Republic of Ireland must learn from their mistakes if they are to keep alive their hopes of making it to the Euro 2016 finals.

Shaun Maloney is keeping his fingers crossed he will be credited with the goal which gave Scotland a hard-fought 1-1 European Championship qualifying draw against Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill was in defiant mood after seeing Scotland “get away” with a priceless Euro 2016 point in Dublin.

The carousel has a few more circuits to run before the music stops, but Ireland’s Euro 2016 ride is all but over with four qualifying games still to go after this 1-1 draw with Scotland that leaves them needing an incredulous string of results to make it to France.

Charlie Mulgrew admits Scott Brown may not get the credit he deserves from all quarters, but he warned the Republic of Ireland they are about to discover how good the Scotland skipper really is.

Shaun Maloney does not think the Republic of Ireland will be fooled again by another Scottish set-piece ploy.

“I always thought there was something wrong with Aiden’s eyesight,” smiles Tom Boyd, when told that Aiden McGeady reckons Ireland have a better first-choice XI than Scotland – a difference of opinion that will be put to the definitive test in their Euro 2016 qualifying clash in Dublin on Saturday.

Gareth Maher lists three things we learned from the Ireland versus England game. 

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths and Dundee ‘keeper Scott Bain have been called up to the Scotland squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on June 13.

Four managers have followed Roberto Martinez to the helm since Wigan lifted the cup against Man City in 2013, while captain Emmerson Boyce is the only survivor.

Euro 2016 Qualifire Group D

At one point yesterday, Roy Keane and James McClean stood metres away from each other, dozens of microphones in their faces, and yet neither sounded likely to throw the sort of verbal grenade previously lobbed into the media sphere. Changed times.

Roy Keane has spoken of the disappointment in the Republic of Ireland camp at their 1-0 loss to Scotland in Celtic Park on Friday night.

“We are absolutely still in this, without a doubt.”

EURO 2016 GROUP D QUALIFIER:

All sound and fury, no pause for thought — and certainly none of the craft that Shaun Maloney and Scotland displayed.

So much for ‘home’ comforts.

THE REPUBLIC of Ireland failed the test of nerve at a raucous Celtic Park last night as Gordon Strachan's Scotland jockeyed themselves into Euro 2016 qualification contention.

Shaun Maloney revealed his outstanding winning goal for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland was the result of a well-worked training ground move.

Scotland 1 Republic of Ireland 0

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan is convinced their European Championship qualifying group will go down to the wire – and he thinks his side have every chance of being involved following another step forward in Warsaw.

EURO 2016 Group D Qualifier

Poland 2 Scotland 2

Mario Balotelli fired Italy to next year’s World Cup finals as the Azzurri came from behind to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Turin last night.

Macedonia 1 Scotland 2

Wigan 2 Nottingham Forest 1

Rickie Lambert applied a Roy of the Rovers finish to a comic strip kind of game as England edged an exciting battle with Scotland at Wembley tonight.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle insists the Latics have yet to receive an offer for Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy.

Wigan 2 Aston Villa 2

Manager Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal now have a third-place finish in their sights after relegating FA Cup winners Wigan with a 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium – but his side could yet end up in a play-off with Chelsea for automatic Champions League qualification.

Roberto Martinez insists FA Cup winners Wigan must be proud of their achievements despite suffering the “heartbreak” of relegation from the Barclays Premier League with a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Arsenal 4 Wigan Athletic 1

Arsenal 4 Wigan 1

Manchester City 0 Wigan 1

Defender Pablo Zabaleta highlighted a lack of passion and desire in the Manchester City side after their shock FA Cup final loss to Wigan.

Manchester City 0 Wigan Athletic 1

Wigan 2 Swansea 3

West Brom 2 Wigan 3

Wigan Athletic 2 Tottenham 2