Strachan: Scotland delighted with three points after ‘mesmerising’ game

By Grainne McGuinness and Shaun Cronin

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan admitted the standard of football in last night’s match between Scotland and Ireland wasn’t the highest, but said it made for gripping viewing.

Speaking after Scotland’s 1-nil win Strachan described the fast-paced encounter as mesmerising.

“For pure football, it wasn’t that great,” he said. “But as a spectacle of two groups of players not wanting to give an inch, it was mesmerising.”

He praised the commitment of both teams throughout the game, and also the fans for creating an electric atmosphere.

Strachan: “They wanted to run higher than each other, run quicker, tackle harder. And the fans made it an occasion.”

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“We did say set-plays were going to be big and it happened,” he said. “It was always going to be that tight.”

He said his side were drained after the physical encounter and and agreed when asked if he would have to rest some players for their friendly against England next week.

“I think so, because they put so much into that game tonight,” said Strachan. “It was like some of them big heavyweight boxing matches.”

The result puts Scotland level with Ireland on seven points in the Group D table, with the Scots due to play Ireland in the Aviva next June.

Elsewhere last night Poland and Germany enjoyed four nil wins over Georgia and Gibraltar respectively, which puts Poland top of the Group with 10 points and Germany level with Ireland and Scotland.