Tuesday 31 March 2015 11:35, UK
Charlie Nicholas fears for Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualification hopes following the Republic of Ireland’s last-gasp draw with Poland on Sunday.
The former Scotland international believes their visit to the Aviva Stadium on June 13 will settle who finishes third in Group D, with leaders Poland and Germany expected to fill the automatic spots.
Nicholas says Scotland, who are two points ahead of the Republic after five games, are going to have to get a result in Dublin, where the hosts will be the favourites.
“Even if Ireland had lost against Poland, the head-to-head that’s coming up in June in Dublin was still going to be crucial for the two of us,” he told Sky Sports.
“If we get a draw in that game, that keeps us ahead of Ireland, but Poland have got a home tie against Georgia and Germany play Gibraltar, so they’re going to pull further away.
“We’re fighting the Republic directly for third spot.”
Scotland beat minnows Gibraltar 6-1 on Sunday to build on their 1-0 win over Martin O’Neill’s men at Celtic Park last November, but Ireland’s draw in Germany is proving a vital result for the standings.
Despite the uncertainty and intensity of the campaign, Nicholas is enjoying the drama as it unfolds.
He said: “It’s been a pretty exciting campaign for us and that’s the first time I can say that in a long time.
“But I still feel the Republic, in Dublin with their support, have the advantage. They’re still a strong side.
“Yes, we have Germany and Poland at home, but they’re going to be the top two teams in the group.
“We might have to force the game against them two in Glasgow, and that could be a demand we won’t particularly enjoy.”
Scotland were given a fright when Gibraltar equalised in the 19th minute at Hampden Park – their first competitive goal – and Nicholas suggests it’s not the first warning sign they’ve received this campaign.
“We knew we were going to win comfortably against Gibraltar in the end, but in the back of our minds we know we got a bit lucky against Ireland in Glasgow,” he said.
“So this head-to-head comes around at a very important time in June, because even after the summer we go away to Georgia, where Ireland have already won, and that is dangerous for us.
“I think Scotland have to get something in Ireland if we’re to get third spot.”
