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Scotland 4 Ireland 1, Hampden Park, 1961
Before 1961, these two sides had never met before at competitive international level. It wasn’t until the two were drawn into the same group for the qualification process of the 1962 World Cup in Chile that they managed to lock horns. A youthful Johnny Giles was part of the Irish side that day as they were sent back to Ireland on the back of a harrowing defeat.
Scotland had a formidable side at the time, with Manchester United legends David Herd and Paddy Crerand lining up for the Scots while Denis Law was unavailable to play. Herd bagged two goals in the second half and Ralph Brand bagged a brace in the opening 45 minutes. Joe Haverty, whose career path followed the trajectory of going from Kansas City Spurs to Drumcondra in 1968, was Ireland’s goalscorer on the day.
In the four qualifying matches for the 1962 World Cup, Ireland were soundly beaten in all of them, conceding 17 goals and scoring just three.
Scotland 0 Ireland 1, Hampden Park, 1987
Quarter of a century on from their only other visit to Hampden Park, the Irish side led by Jack Charlton were on course to finish top of their qualifying group for Euro ’88 but needed a win to make sure they would edge ahead at the top of the pile.
Scotland boasted a strong side back in 1987, with Alan Hansen, Brian McClair, Mo Johnston and Ally McCoist all playing a part in the match against Ireland. The game itself was far from entertaining however. Mark Lawrenson gave the Irish the lead after just six minutes and that was enough for Ireland to hang on to and see out the win.
It all came down to the final group game between the Scots and Bulgaria as a win for the Eastern European side would ensure they would progress to the Euro’s at our expense. Our Celtic neighbours, with nothing to play for, managed to pull off an unexpected victory thanks to a late Gary Mackay goal, and onwards we trotted to Euro ’88.
Ireland 1 Scotland 2, Lansdowne Road, 2000
Before Ireland embarked on the brilliant journey that was World Cup 2002 qualification, the summer of 2000 was used as a chance for Mick McCarthy to test out new players after failing to qualify for Euro 2000. Scotland arrived in Dublin in a similar situation and they left with the win.
Mark Kennedy scored inside two minutes for the home side but by the time the teams went in for half-time, Craig Burley and Barry Ferguson had netted a goal each to put Scotland ahead. The rest of the game was a bit stop-start, with nine substitutes coming on in the second period and Ireland couldn’t managed to draw level as the Scots claimed victory in Lansdowne Road.
Scotland 0 Ireland 2, Hampden Park, 2003
Looking back on his managerial record with the benefit of hindsight, Brian Kerr’s time in charge of Ireland was not all that bad on paper. Ireland lost just twice in Kerr’s first two years in charge, and only four times in total under his watch.
His tenure began with a convincing two goal win away to Scotland in February 2003. Kerr brought in the likes of Gary Doherty, John O’Shea, Steven Reid and Clinton Morrison to the starting lineup, in preparation for the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Georgia and Albania.
Ireland controlled the match from beginning to end and a goal each from Kevin Kilbane and Clinton Morrison was enough to give Ireland a comfortable victory and a nice start under their new manager.
Ireland 1 Scotland 0, The Aviva, 2011
In what was possibly one of the least celebrated cup triumphs of all time Ireland edged past Scotland to win the inaugural Carling Nations Cup in the the Aviva. With Trapattoni in charge, Ireland had eased past both Wales and Northern Ireland before meeting Scotland, in what was essentially the final.
For a game that only delivered one goal, it gave Irish fans some lasting memories. It can be forever remembered as the day that Paul McShane briefly morphed into Kaká by making a fool of two Scottish midfielders with his silky footwork before laying off the assist for Robbie Keane’s goal.
Some Irish fans may also remember Shay Given’s wonderful save from Phil Bardsley’s long rang shot in the same game. Ireland ran out 1-0 winners in a game that neither set of players seemed too bothered about on front of a less than half-full Aviva stadium.