3 talking points as shocking Scotland suffer Nations League humiliation to Ireland with dire Dublin display

Scotland slumped to a shocking Nations League defeat against Ireland after a dire Dublin display from Steve Clarke’s men.

And it ended the brief return of the feel good factor following the World Cup play-off defeat to Ukraine.

Clarke’s men praised the way his man recovered from the heartache of missing out on a place at Qatar this winter.

But it didn’t last long as they produced a woeful performance in the Aviva Stadium and the heat is now on heading to Armenia for their next Group B1 game.

Preston’s Alan Browne and Spurs kid Troy Parrott had Stephen Kenny’s Boys In Green a couple of goals up at the break and Michael Obafemi scored a spectacular third.

It ended back to back defeats for Ireland - who were as good as the visitors were bad - but their last competitive win in Dublin came three years ago against minnows Gibraltar shows how bad this loss was for Scotland.

John Souttar and Stuart Armstrong both dropped out despite impressing in the win over Armenia as Grant Hanley and Scott McTominay came in.

Ireland were under pressure after back to back defeats but started on the front foot as Scotland struggled to get going.

A lapse in concentration from former Celtic flop Shane Duffy gifted the visitors a great chance but John McGinn couldn’t punish Ireland as his shot was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brighton stopper Duffy, though, was effective at the other end as he had a hand in Ireland’s 20th minute opener.

James McClean sent a corner deep into the penalty area and Duffy headed it into the danger area and as the Scotland defence failed to react, Browne was alert to knock it home.

Scotland’s best chances came from mistakes from Ireland in particular Duffy who gifted Scotland - and McGinn - another opportunity.

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