McGrath fearful of rejuvenated Scots

For all the strides Ireland have made during the first year of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s management, legend Paul McGrath fears Scotland, under former team-mate Gordon Strachan, hold the upper hand this week.

McGrath was part of the last Irish team to win in Glasgow back in 1987 but he feels avoiding defeat against Strachan’s Scots on Friday would suffice as the Euro 2016 qualifiers crank up a notch.

Trailing Group D leaders Ireland and Poland by three points, the Scots will rely on their boisterous support and 13-month unbeaten home record to engineer a win to keep them in the qualification mix.