5 talking points as Scotland take command of their Nations League destiny with Ireland fight back

The Tartan Army joined their Irish counterparts for a rendition of “England’s going down” as the night got started at Hampden. By the end, the only noise came from Scotland support as they roared in delight as their team kept their Nations League promotion chase bang on track.

Both sets of punters were taking great delight in the misfortune suffered by Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions this week after they were relegated from the A League. Yet it looked like Steve Clarke ’s side had that sinking feeling too after allowing Stephen Kenny’s men to take an early lead through John Egan.

That result would have knocked them off Group B1’s top spot ahead of Tuesday’s do-or-die clash with Ukraine in Poland. But instead, it is the Scots now in full command of their destiny thanks to Jack Hendry ’s equaliser just after the break and a late Ryan Christie spot-kick.

The win means draw in Krakow will be enough to clinch the section and a guaranteed play-off spot for Euro 2024.

The only down side to a night that saw stand-in skipper John McGinn win his his 50th cap was a suspected concussion that could rule Arsenal star Kieran Tierney out of the Ukraine rematch.

Scotland marched out of the tunnel still buzzing from Wednesday’s stunning win over Oleksandr Petrakov’s team.

The red-hot 3-0 rampage was arguably the most complete display of Clarke’s three-year tenure so it was no surprise to see him stick largely by the team that produced it.

The good news was that expectant dad Craig Gordon was spared another dash to the maternity ward after Wednesday scare. One of the two changes he made was enforced as Aaron Hickey replaced the injured Nathan Patterson while super sub Lyndon Dykes was rewarded for his double off the bench with a