Thursday 13 November 2014 20:06, UK
Scotland striker Steven Fletcher is relishing the opportunity to take on his Sunderland team-mate John O'Shea at Celtic Park on Friday.
O’Shea is likely to be at the heart of the Republic of Ireland defence which will take on the Scots in a crucial European Qualifier.
The duo spend much of their time on the training pitch at Sunderland trying to get the better of each other and they are now set to go head-to-head in the Group D showdown.
Fletcher, 27, goes into the game in good form after scoring twice in the Black Cats' 3-1 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace and playing his part in a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday, but he is expecting a tough battle with 33-year-old O'Shea.
I am looking forward to it, to be fair. I have been running rings around him in training, so if I could do it in the game, it would be fine.
He said: "I am looking forward to it, to be fair. I have been running rings around him in training, so if I could do it in the game, it would be fine.
"I was pleased with my performances with Scotland [last month]. I was unlucky not to get a goal, but I was happy the way I played, and hopefully I can keep my place for the next game."
Fletcher and his compatriots have been looking forward to this week for some time with the Ireland game closely followed by a friendly clash with England.
Poland and Ireland currently top Group D with seven points from their first three games, with Scotland level on points with Germany, three points back.
Fletcher said: "It was a nightmare when I looked at the group to start with and they picked the first two [in the draw], and it was Germany and Poland.
"But we have shown - and so have Ireland - that we are more than capable of getting through as well. But I think the Ireland game is important for us."
Manager Gordon Strachan has proved key in instilling that belief, but also a continuity which Fletcher feels has allowed him to build firm foundations.
He said: "Everything is looking really, really good. People are actually wanting to - I'm not saying people don't want to go and play for their country, but it's the same players, the same squad every time now.
"Normally, you would have about four or five players, it was new players coming in. But it seems to be the same squad every trip, which is good, it creates a team."
Watch Scotland v Ireland live on Sky Sports 5 on Friday from 7.30pm
