All of Ireland’s problems stemmed from Scotland’s dominance in midfield

No excuses. Scotland were the better team, creating more chances, while Ireland lacked the intent to leave Glasgow with what would have been a valuable point. In every facet of play - tactically, possession and individual battles - they earned this victory.

It’s not the end of the world. We need Poland to stumble now, but to have seven points after four games, same as Scotland and Germany, where we did get that precious draw, should lend to a positive outlook.

I do have to question how deeply we worked on counteracting Scotland’s style in Malahide these past few days. It felt like our midfielders didn’t know who they needed to pick up. Maybe that’s down to the team being named so late.

Scotland, in stark contrast, played with clarity with each player knowing their individual roles.

Our hosts should have been two-nil up at half-time. They weren’t and that’s a testament to solid defending, in particular by Richard Keogh, and Steve Fletcher spurning two genuine chances.

All the problems stemmed from Scotland’s midfield dominance. The frantic nature of the contest was to be expected but the night passed Jeff Hendrick by. All he had to show for the opening 45 minutes was a yellow card after barrelling through Steven Whittaker. Maybe he felt he had to do something but getting on the ball is essential for a midfielder.

Gordon Strachan's tactics, assisted by his players constant work-rate, looked spot on. The constant pressing of Ireland's back four meant Darron Gibson, or Hendrick for that matter, couldn't drop deep and dictate play.

Maybe Gibson hasn’t played enough football this season.

Anyway, I wanted Stephen Quinn on far sooner. Gibson lacked the necessary mobility, clearly needing his midfield partner to curtail the dominance of Steven Naismith, who was dropping deep at will. Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy were sorely missed last night.

Considering the constant bombardment in the first half, John O’Shea and Keogh remained composed and solid (O’Shea did lose Fletcher for a free header) but Seamus Coleman was having a torrid time with Ikechi Anya. He barely survived. He certainly couldn’t get forward as he does so brilliantly for Everton.

Keogh tore into Coleman twice for the dithery nature of his performance. The pace of Anya had our best player in constant difficulty but who would you rather police the tricky winger?

This campaign was never going to be plain sailing. We knew that. Far too many teams of a similar standard.

Plenty of Irish players were in trouble last night but Aiden McGeady, considering the abuse he was subjected to both on the and off the pitch, can hold his head high. Yes, there was the early booking but he had the courage to time two more tackles that could have led to a second yellow. He won the ball both times and saved Ireland’s bacon.

Every time he got the ball a swarm of Scottish players were around him. And still he kept his concentration. It’s a stadium he’s comfortable performing in - even with the crowd on his back.

McGeady continued to grow into the contest, whipping over a cracking cross for Walters. Then he caught hold of a left footed strike, just before the hour mark, that brought a fine save from David Marshall.

Not for the first time, he was the class act on display Celtic Park until Shaun Maloney settled the tie.

Shane Long was the correct decision ahead of Robbie Keane, for this match, but his touch was suspect. Still, the link play between himself and Jon Walters looked like the best outlet to stealing a goal. The pair just needed better supply than early long balls up from the fullbacks. They needed their midfield to deliver.

Gibson put one decent pass into Long, which Walters stepped over, but it came to nothing.

Scotland performed like a team buoyed by the confidence of recent performances and their draw in Poland. And the desperate need to win at home.

I presumed their left back Andrew Roberston would be a weakness in defence but the 20 year old was excellent. Coleman needed to take a yellow card to stop his threat going forward too. Scotland created enough chances to win. Chris Martin should have scored on 65 minutes. Again, Naismith was the creator.

It prompted action from Martin O’Neill. In came Stephen Quinn and Robbie Brady with Long and Gibson making way. Walters, who produced yet another industrious night in an Ireland jersey, went up front on his own. Brady immediately showed his quality to force a corner.

I felt the Ireland manager picked the correct starting XI and made substitutions when the game demanded them but Long struggled and those who came on couldn’t turn the tide.

It was Scotland’s night.

Maloney’s gorgeous curling finish from a neat short corner came straight off the training ground and was fully deserving of all three points.

The last 15 minutes seemed made for a 34 year old Robbie Keane. But Scotland hung on, deservedly so.