'What an epic duel': Gordon Strachan hails Scotland's precious win over Ireland

Shaun Maloney’s moment of sublime skill gave Scotland their first home victory over Ireland in 53 years as they beat their neighbours 1-0 in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier at Celtic Park on Friday.

Described afterwards as "an epic duel" by Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, who, like Friday’s counterpart Martin O’Neill, is a former Celtic manager, the game was played at a breakneck pace, oozing passion and with endless physical challenges.

“I am a proud man. That was an epic duel. We knew what was going to happen and we dealt with that. It was hard, we kept trying to play,” said Strachan.

“Ireland were a handful all night, it was like a British cup tie. This is the hardest group of them all and one goal decides every game.”

There were only occasional flashes of skill but no shortage of excitement, commitment and an old-fashioned physicality to the match.

Scotland defender Grant Hanley was lucky to stay on the field after bringing down Shane Long to break up an attack just 12 minutes in and he was also lucky not to score an own goal late in the game when he headed against his own bar.

His yellow card was the first of only five in the game, which showed admirable restraint in a bruising encounter from Serbian referee Milorad Mazic. He could have handed out twice as many for challenges from both sides that ranged from the late to the very late.