Euro 2016: Scotland 1-0 Republic of Ireland

Shaun Maloney (left) opened the scoring for Scotland at Celtic Park

A superb Shaun Maloney goal earned Scotland a precious and hard-fought victory over the Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier.

From a short corner, Maloney squeezed the ball into the feet of Scott Brown, whose back-heel allowed the winger to curl an exquisite shot home.

There was a late scare for the Scots as Grant Hanley's header hit his own bar.

They now draw level with the Irish and Germany on seven points after four games, with Poland three points clear.

Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had spoken of his belief that his Irish side could win on his return to Celtic Park. Instead, it was his successor at the club, Gordon Strachan, who enjoyed the happier homecoming.

Another of the pre-match talking points was the expected booing of the Scots-born Ireland winger Aiden McGeady and his reception was suitably hostile - he was treated by the home fans as the pantomime villain.

From the outset, the pace of the game was frenetic. The tackling was tenacious and, at times, downright careless, leading to early bookings for Hanley, McGeady and his Ireland team-mate, Jeff Hendrick.

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill was left disappointed at his former club ground

The passion on show almost made up for the dearth of football, with precious few chances created in the opening half-hour.

Jon Walters and Darron Gibson did force David Marshall into saves, but there was little to worry either goalkeeper.

Scotland's play under Strachan has come to be typified by slick attacking play and it was one such passage that almost brought about the opening goal.

Steven Naismith foraged away before picking out Maloney on the right. The winger's cross was whipped in for the charging Charlie Mulgrew, but his header flew wide.

That was the cue for some concerted Scots pressure, which should have been rewarded only for Steven Fletcher to somehow fail to connect with another Maloney cross.

O'Neill's side lifted their game at the start of the second period and Marshall saved a close-range Shane Long header before brilliantly turning away a McGeady volley.

Fletcher's replacement, Chris Martin, almost made an instant impact, firing just wide after good play again by Maloney and Naismith.

However, just as the visitors had tried to shut up shop by taking off Long and adding a fifth midfielder, Scotland made the breakthrough.

It leaves Group D very open as the qualifiers come to an end for 2014.

There were many split loyalties at Celtic Park ahead of kick-off

Ireland's Martin O'Neill and Scotland counterpart Gordon Strachan are both former Celtic managers

Steven Fletcher missed a couple of chances for Scotland before going off injured

Shaun Maloney's shot evaded the reach of Irish goalkeeper David Forde

Scotland were the ones celebrating the three points at the final whistle