The suggestion that tonight’s qualifier could be disrupted by misbehaving fans was instantly laughed off by the taxi driver dropping us from the Scotland team’s base to Glasgow city centre.
Caught up with his own agenda and the fall-out with the Scottish FA, FAI chief executive John Delaney earlier this week hinted that the failure of the home association to issue their opponents with a larger allocation of tickets than the minimum five per cent was putting Irish fans in danger at Celtic Park tonight.
Comments made by the likes of Gordon McQueen in the build-up weren’t helpful in the slightest but they will be long forgotten when the two teams walk out onto the pitch at 7.4opm this evening.
The bright lights of Celtic Park before it is what is sure to be an electric atmosphere tonight.
You would struggle to find an atmosphere better than the one experienced at Celtic on big European nights and although that is down to Hoops supporters, there is no doubt that the Tartan Army and the Boys in Green will have a right go at re-creating it on what is sure to be a memorable occasion — regardless of the football or the result.
The camps have had contrasting build-ups this week, as our first encounter with Gordon Strachan illustrates. Keen to arrive early for the Scottish press conference, myself and two other journalists travelled straight to their team hotel from the airport after an early morning flight.
With over three hours to spare, we wandered around the five-star complex in search of a bite to eat. One of the staff as nice enough to bring us out a couple of bacon sandwiches (on the house) when in walked the Scotland manager, flanked by Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall.
All smiles: Gordon Strachan. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Sat feet away and completely oblivious to us, Strachan began giving a detailed account of the alleged incident involving Roy Keane, a member of the public and the tearing of pages from a book, before he and his backroom staff had a good chuckle.
The events haven’t been ideal to Ireland’s preparation but O’Neill has the experience and the temperament to deal with such distractions and make sure that his players are solely focused on the task at hand and the ultimate goal — qualification to the finals in two years’ time.
Letter from Glasgow: The calm before the storm on what's sure to be a special night
by Ben Blake reporting from Glasgow
“TROUBLE? NOT FROM our lot there won’t be!”
The suggestion that tonight’s qualifier could be disrupted by misbehaving fans was instantly laughed off by the taxi driver dropping us from the Scotland team’s base to Glasgow city centre.
Caught up with his own agenda and the fall-out with the Scottish FA, FAI chief executive John Delaney earlier this week hinted that the failure of the home association to issue their opponents with a larger allocation of tickets than the minimum five per cent was putting Irish fans in danger at Celtic Park tonight.
Supporters group You Boys in Green responded by branding the claims “deeply unhelpful”, pointing to the impeccable records of both sets of fans during away trips.
As Irish fans pour into the streets of Glasgow this afternoon, there is a real carnival atmosphere about the place ahead of the first meeting between the nations in Scotland since 1987 — when Mark Lawrenson scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win at Hampden Park.
Comments made by the likes of Gordon McQueen in the build-up weren’t helpful in the slightest but they will be long forgotten when the two teams walk out onto the pitch at 7.4opm this evening.
You would struggle to find an atmosphere better than the one experienced at Celtic on big European nights and although that is down to Hoops supporters, there is no doubt that the Tartan Army and the Boys in Green will have a right go at re-creating it on what is sure to be a memorable occasion — regardless of the football or the result.
The camps have had contrasting build-ups this week, as our first encounter with Gordon Strachan illustrates. Keen to arrive early for the Scottish press conference, myself and two other journalists travelled straight to their team hotel from the airport after an early morning flight.
With over three hours to spare, we wandered around the five-star complex in search of a bite to eat. One of the staff as nice enough to bring us out a couple of bacon sandwiches (on the house) when in walked the Scotland manager, flanked by Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall.
Sat feet away and completely oblivious to us, Strachan began giving a detailed account of the alleged incident involving Roy Keane, a member of the public and the tearing of pages from a book, before he and his backroom staff had a good chuckle.
The events haven’t been ideal to Ireland’s preparation but O’Neill has the experience and the temperament to deal with such distractions and make sure that his players are solely focused on the task at hand and the ultimate goal — qualification to the finals in two years’ time.
What’s your prediction for the Marty Derby?
– First published 15.53
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