Packie Bonner: Ireland and Scotland can both secure qualification

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner believes both Ireland and Scotland can taste the “life-changing” experience of playing in a major finals next summer.

Bonner became a hero when keeping a clean sheet in the Republic’s first game at a major tournament – the 1-0 win over England in Germany in 1988 – and cemented his status when his penalty save from Romania’s Daniel Timofte helped send the Republic into the World Cup quarter-finals two years later.

The former Celtic player, who is still based in Glasgow, is watching the climax of Group D very closely with both his native country and adopted land still vying for qualification for the European Championship finals in France.