IT HAS BEEN a long time since Ireland played Scotland in a competitive fixture – 27 years and eight months to be exact – but all the memories of Ireland’s dramatic 1-0 win at Hampden Park on the road to Euro ’88 have been flooding back this week as Scotland host Martin O’Neill’s men in Celtic Park tomorrow night.
On that day back in February ’87, a scrappy Mark Lawrenson finish in the eight minute gave Jack Charlton’s charges a crucial away win that ultimately was the difference between Ireland going to Germany and spending another summer at home (that, and of course Gary Mackay’s goal against Bulgaria).
Here are some of the best pictures from that night at Hampden Park.
Paul McGrath wins the ball from Brian McClair
Liam Brady watches anxiously from the Irish bench
What sort of reception do you think Ray Houghton got that day?
Jack Charlton congratulates goalscorer Mark Lawrenson
Mick Byrne brings on the magic sponge for John Aldridge
John Byrne goes close with a header
Jack Charlton tells someone to lump it long
John Aldridge clatters into Maurice Malpas
Gordon Strachan stands over an injured John Aldridge
Mark Lawrenson looks to play a cross-field pass
And here is that great goal from Lawro that got us the three points.
You can definitely see John O’Shea bagging a similar goal tomorrow night.
