Scotland vs Republic of Ireland [Euro 2016 Qualifier]

Scotland and the Republic of Ireland meet at Celtic Park in a tasty European Qualifiers encounter in Group D. The Irish arrived in Glasgow on Thursday sitting joint top of the group alongside Poland, with both sides having claimed seven of the first points available to them, three ahead of both the Scots and world champions Germany.

However, Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has warned Ireland, who have a number of current and former Celtic players in their ranks, that their familiarity with the surroundings in Glasgow will do them no favours. Much has been made of Irish boss Martin O'Neill being a former Hoops manager with his assistant Roy Keane, skipper Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady, Shay Given and Daryl Murphy having played for the club, while Anthony Stokes is currently a striker with the Scottish champions.

Scotland midfielder James McArthur has pulled out of the clash with the Republic due to a calf injury. McArthur has come off the bench in two of Scotland's three European Championship qualifiers so far. The Crystal Palace midfielder joins his former Hamilton and Wigan team-mate James McCarthy on the sidelines for the game after the Republic of Ireland player pulled out with a hamstring problem. Long-term casualty Robert Snodgrass is also absent for Scotland.

Defenders Alan Hutton and Phil Bardsley are both out due to injury so Steven Whittaker looks a likely starter at right-back. Brighton centre-back Gordon Greer began the 2-2 draw with Poland but Russell Martin may get the nod on this occasion. The Scots could therefore line up with David Marshall in goal behind a back four of Whittaker, Grant Hanley, Martin and Andrew Robertson; Scott Brown and James Morrison in central midfield; and Shaun Maloney, Steven Naismith and Ikechi Anya offering attacking options behind lone striker Steven Fletcher.

Meanwhile, O'Neill's preparations for the clash have been disrupted by an alleged incident which prompted Keane to ask for Gardai to be called to the team hotel in Portmarnock. But O'Neill has insisted it will not be an issue as they look to extend their unbeaten run in qualifying to three games.

Speaking on Thursday, O'Neill was more concerned about the loss of central midfielders Glenn Whelan and one of the men fuelling the other major talking point this week, McCarthy, to injury. Whelan was always an outsider after breaking a bone in his leg during the 1-1 draw in Germany last month, but there was better news about Glasgow-born McCarthy - who had been promised a hostile welcome - as scans confirmed no significant damage to his hamstring.

Darron Gibson and Jeff Hendrick are seemingly the main candidates to plug the sizeable gap left in the heart of O'Neill's team, although he has also handed a key role to Stephen Quinn in the recent past. Marc Wilson is injured, so Richard Keogh could be drafted in at centre-back.