Few faces do instant scorn as well as Gordon Strachan’s so there were some with bated breath at the Aviva Stadium last night when the Scotland manager was asked if his side was in Dublin with the aim of playing for a draw.

Eamon Dunphy has slammed Martin O’Neill for seemingly regarding him as a bit of a homer while Ronnie Whelan, even though he’s another self-confessed fan, has expressed the fear that he might get “gobbled up” in the heat of the expected battle between Ireland and Scotland on Saturday.

Norwich manager Chris Hughton will check on the fitness of defender Russell Martin ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League visit of West Ham.