Stephen Kenny fires Scotland warning as he insists Ireland are BETTER than Nations League drubbing in Dublin

Stephen Kenny has warned Scotland his new-look Ireland have yet to hit top gear - and he expects them to be even better than in June’s 3-0 Dublin drubbing.

The Irish will be roared on by a sell-out away support of 2500 at Hampden with thousands more in the city hoping to see their side complete a stunning Nations League double header on Steve Clarke ’s men. And just 14 weeks on from steamrolling the Scots at the Aviva Stadium Kenny is confident his players can repeat the trick.

Despite criticism that followed a woeful World Cup qualifying effort, Ireland have lost only three of their last 16 matches. That run includes draws with Belgium, Portugal and Serbia as well as the 1-1 result in Ukraine on their last run out. And Kenny said: “We are not dwelling on the game in Dublin, this is a different challenge. We went into that game on the back of two losses.

“But we have still had only three defeats in 16. We have played top teams like Belgium and Serbia and gone toe to toe with Portugal. We can see the team evolving.

“Scotland have been very good under Steve Clarke so anything we get we will have to earn it. But we feel we can still improve on our aspects of our performance against Scotland in June.

“We are continually striving to get better and we are not at our full potential. It’s a great occasion with a Hampden full house.

“Scotland had a good win on Wednesday and we respect that, but we have played well in our last few games. This is a new Ireland with a new identity. We have given 16 players their international debut and the style of play is something the Irish public are connecting with.

“We had to suffer with some results in the rebuilding process, but we have sold out the Aviva, 44,000, for Armenia next Tuesday