Two cuts sent to visual Qualification for Euro 2020 gets under way this evening, and the big boys have been limbering up in their own inimitable way.

Wales 1 Georgia 1: Chris Coleman said Wales were punished for not “taking care of business” as they were held at home by Georgia.

Far from familiarity breeding contempt, Martin O’Neill’s still fresh memory of how hard-earned were Ireland’s six points against Georgia in Euro qualifying means he has spent much of his media time in the run-up to tonight’s World Cup qualifier emphasising just how difficult a challenge he expects.

Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill will not gamble on James McCarthy's fitness as he looks for a first victory of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a hat-trick to overshadow Gareth Bale’s European bow for Real Madrid as they romped to an emphatic 6-1 win at Galatasaray in Group B last night.

Spain

Bolton manager Owen Coyle admits he will not be buying his way out of trouble in January.

LET there be no more talk of Paris.

Macedonia 1 Slovakia 1

HE may have called a halt to the celebrations at the end of last night’s win in Zilina — but Russia coach Dick Advocaat must know Euro 2012 qualification is all but certain now.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S worst instincts were all but confirmed in Zilina last night — the Russians are to blame for his mountain hike in Andorra.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI would be ill-advised to take up the European Championship bail-out offer slapped on the table in the sleepy Slovakian resort of Senec yesterday.

Armenia stunned Slovakia with four second-half goals in Zilina to blow Euro 2012 qualifying Group B wide open.

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will have to reshuffle his defence for Tuesday night’s crunch Euro 2012 qualifier in Russia after losing Sean St Ledger to suspension.

YOU won’t hear too much talk about a record six-in-a-row clean sheets after this European Championship body blow at the Aviva.

THE good news first. This was Ireland’s sixth consecutive clean sheet. That concludes the good news.

A DISPIRITINGLY underwhelming night then. In every sense. It’s as you were for both Slovakia and Ireland in the group but, crucially, as you were for Giovanni Trapattoni’s approach.

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

Republic of Ireland 0 Slovakia 0

Kevin Doyle won a late reprieve as the Republic of Ireland attempted to edge their way closer to qualification for the Euro 2012 finals.

SLOVAKIAN playmaker Marek Hamsik has no more than a 50-50 chance of featuring in tonight’s European Championship clash against the Republic of Ireland, according to his manager Vladimir Weiss.

Vladimir Weiss will not rely on his enviable record against Italians as he attempts to guide Slovakia past the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night.

SLOVAKIA captain Marek Hamsik travelled to Dublin with his international teammates on Wednesday night but vowed to play in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Ireland only if he is 100%.

SHAY GIVEN is successfully fighting through the pain barrier to be fit for Ireland’s game against Slovakia on Friday.

Manchester City have confirmed they have finalised the loan deals for striker Roque Santa Cruz and midfielder Vladimir Weiss to spend the season in Spain.

Craig Whyte’s takeover bid appears to be back on track after he moved closer to winning over the independent committee of the Rangers board.

RANGERS kept on the coat tails of Celtic as they made hard work of their 1-0 win over Hamilton yesterday.

Hamilton 0 Rangers 1

Vladimir Weiss is set to miss Rangers’ title run-in after discovering he has a broken foot.

Rangers are boosted by the return of Kyle Lafferty and Darren Cole for their Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against St Johnstone.

Rangers 2 Dundee Utd 3

Celtic 1 Rangers 2 (aet)

Kyle Bartley will miss the Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Celtic with a knee injury.

RANGERS threw the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race wide open as they moved to within two points of leaders Celtic with a game in hand thanks to a last-gasp win over Kilmarnock.

Rangers 2 Kilmarnock 1

PSV Eindhoven 0 Rangers 0

Celtic 1 Rangers 0

Rangers midfielder Vladimir Weiss has been all but ruled out of the Scottish Cup fifth-round replay against Celtic.

Sporting Lisbon 2 Rangers 2 (3-3 on aggregate, Rangers win on away goals)

Celtic 3 Rangers 0

Nikica Jelavic was drafted straight back into the Rangers team as the lone striker in the SPL derby against Celtic.

Rangers 1 Hearts 0

STEVEN DAVIS grabbed the only goal of the game as Rangers scraped past Inverness at Ibrox to edge closer to Celtic at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.