Scotland vs Republic of Ireland – Nations League: Live score, team news and updates

‘England’s going down’ crowed Hampden Park. Take a point from Ukraine in Poland on Tuesday and Scotland will be going up.

The Nations League has its detractors – those of an English persuasion, on current form – but this was a classic, a boisterous advert for the oft-maligned format.

And boy was Scotland’s come-from-behind triumph celebrated with gusto by the ale-laden locals. The evening kick-off merely added to the noise and frenzy and, when man-of-the-match Ryan Christie scored the winning penalty eight minutes from time, the Tartan Army exhaled in collective relief before drawing in a second wind – the party was only just getting started.

The forward’s spot-kick means Steve Clarke’s side need just one more point to top the group

The win means that, should Scotland avoid defeat in Krakow against a Ukraine team they beat comfortably last Wednesday, they will be promoted to League A and so guarantee second seed in qualification for Euro 2024, as well as the safety net of a play-off spot.

Boss Steve Clarke, whose side trailed at the break, said: ‘I knew eventually the game would come back to us. 

‘At the start of the second half we got a right grip on it. The players are desperate to do well for their country and they showed that tonight.’

Jack Henry’s header put Scotland back on level terms at the beginning of the second half

The defender made his way into the six-yard box to head home Ryan Christie’s smart cross

All of the talk in the home camp this week had been of revenge, ‘owing one’ to Ireland after their 3-0 victory back in sunny June. 

That was a dark day for Clarke, who called the defeat ‘damning’ and, for the first time, heard supporters question his position, especially on the back of a World Cup playoff loss to Ukraine 10 days earlier. It feels very different now.

For Stephen Kenny, that summer win had eased pressure. There is much debate in Ireland as to the merits of the former Dundalk manager but those who have championed his passing principles had every right to feel vindicated after an impressive first half in which, in their orange jerseys, the Irish had masqueraded as 1970s Netherlands.

Their goal, on 18 minutes, was a little more traditional. Think Jack Charlton and his ‘big lads’ at a set-piece. 

Scotland thought they had cleared the danger from a corner but, when Jayson Molumby returned a header and Nathan Collins was first to the dropping ball, skipper John Egan pounced to finish on the turn.

‘It was a tough game to lose,’ Kenny later reflected. ‘We showed real control in the first half but their crowd got behind them and they got in the ascendancy after half-time.’

Captain John Egan’s fine finish from a corner gave Ireland a deserved lead in the first period

Steve Clarke’s side will head to Poland full of confidence that they can earn promotion

Scotland did lose Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney to concussion in the first half of the match

Glasgow had been awash with beer and song since before midday but home hangovers were kicking in after 45 minutes, especially given the sobering sight of Kieran Tiereny being forced off with concussion late in the half.

There was a time, not so long ago, when no Tierney or Andy Robertson would have deflated those left behind. But the supporting cast have emerged as leading men in their own right in the past two years and they were level come the 49th minute. The brilliant Christie made a mannequin of Spurs full back Matt Doherty before hanging a cross for the unmarked Jack Hendry to head in from close range.

The comeback was complete when Ireland substitute Alan Browne, striking a bizarre pose much like Superman, jumped to handle from a corner and up stepped Christie to roll home with supreme confidence. Scotland’s winger was the real superhero.

Relive Sportsmail’s live blog for the Nations League clash between Scotland and Republic of Ireland.