Scotland v Republic of Ireland: Visitors 'have more' - Richie Foran

Richie Foran believes Republic of Ireland are a slightly stronger side than Scotland

Inverness Caledonian Thistle captain Richie Foran is tipping his native Ireland to get the better of Scotland at Celtic Park on Friday.

"I would say there's a little bit more pressure on Scotland," the Dublin-born midfielder told BBC Scotland ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier.

"It's close enough to being a must-win game for them. It could really dictate who's going to qualify from the group.

"There's not a lot between them but I think Ireland can get a 1-0 win."

Republic of Ireland and Poland lead the way in Group D, with Scotland and Germany three points adrift after three matches.

"It's a huge game," added Foran," who has been with the Highlanders since January 2009 and had a two-and-a-half year stint at Motherwell.

"It's going to be a cracking atmosphere. They're two sides that are quite evenly matched.

"I've watched over the past few months how much the country is getting behind Gordon Strachan. I haven't seen that in all my years in Scotland.

"It's very similar in Ireland as well. They love Martin O'Neill. I just believe that Ireland have that little bit more to go on and win the game. I think they've just got a small bit more."

Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy will line up against Scotland

Scots-born duo Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy may take some flak from the Tartan Army as they line up for the opposition but Foran believes the Everton midfielders cannot be blamed for taking the opportunity.

"Ireland beat Scotland to the two players," he said. "I don't know if Scotland tried hard enough.

"The talk in Ireland is that they wanted them more than Scotland did."

Foran, capped by the Irish at Under-21 level, admitted that he would have considered an approach from Scotland as a young player, had he met eligibility requirements.

"Yes, I would have indeed," he explained. "There's a lot of players out there, players born in England playing for Ireland, it's just football.

"They're two really good players and I know there's a lot of Scotland supporters not happy with the players themselves. I've no blame on the players that's for sure.

"I'm sure if Scotland came in maybe a bit earlier or tried maybe a little bit harder they probably would have gone and played for Scotland."