Scotland boss Gordon Strachan relieved to claim Dublin point

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan Euro 2016

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Scotland boss Gordon Strachan was happy to come away with a point from his side’s tussle with Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Jonathan Walters gave the Irish a deserved lead at the break following a lacklustre performance from the Scots but Ireland skipper John O’Shea deflected Shaun Maloney’s shot past Shay Given immediately after the interval to allow Scotland to restore parity.

Despite a lot of huffing and puffing from Martin O’Neill’s side in the closing stages, Scotland held out comfortably to secure the point that keeps them two points clear of the Ireland in their Euro 2016 qualifying group.

Poland lead the way in Group D, a point ahead of world champions Germany who have 13 points, with Scotland two points further back.

Third place would secure at least a playoff for Strachan’s team and he is pleased with how things have progressed up until now.

“We are still in with a good chance of qualifying,” Strachan said. “And after the amount of games we have played, to have a good chance is terrific from the lads.”

Strachan felt the timing of his team’s goal in Dublin played a big part in helping Scotland see the game out, with the Irish having the wind taken from their sails after a promising first 45 minutes.

“After our first-half performance, which could have been better, we were decent in the second half,” he said.

“I was happy in the second half when the game died down and we had some good possession and frustrated them. The goal right after half-time gave us a huge boost.”

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