IT HAS BEEN a long time since Ireland played Scotland in a competitive fixture – 27 years and eight months to be exact – but all the memories of Ireland’s dramatic 1-0 win at Hampden Park on the road to Euro ’88 have been flooding back this week as Scotland host Martin O’Neill’s men in Celtic Park tomorrow night.

On that day back in February ’87, a scrappy Mark Lawrenson finish in the eight minute gave Jack Charlton’s charges a crucial away win that ultimately was the difference between Ireland going to Germany and spending another summer at home (that, and of course Gary Mackay’s goal against Bulgaria).

Here are some of the best pictures from that night at Hampden Park.

Paul McGrath wins the ball from Brian McClair

Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Liam Brady watches anxiously from the Irish bench

What sort of reception do you think Ray Houghton got that day?

Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Jack Charlton congratulates goalscorer Mark Lawrenson

Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Mick Byrne brings on the magic sponge for John Aldridge

John Byrne goes close with a header

Jack Charlton tells someone to lump it long

John Aldridge clatters into Maurice Malpas

Gordon Strachan stands over an injured John Aldridge

Mark Lawrenson looks to play a cross-field pass

And here is that great goal from Lawro that got us the three points.

You can definitely see John O’Shea bagging a similar goal tomorrow night.

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