Scotland probe down the left and Andrew Robertson whips in a dangerous cross to the near post as Steven Fletcher is thwarted by a combination of goalkeeper Gorgi Lorla and the offside flag.

Keir Murray
BBC Sport Scotland

"Skipper Scott Brown is the only member of the starting 11 who plays for a Scottish club, his goalkeeping team-mate at Celtic Craig Gordon and Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds being the only others in the 23-man squad at Ibrox. Don't get St Johnstone fans started on Stevie May's inclusion now that he has moved to Sheffield Wednesday..."

Owls of protest I'd imagine...

Shaun Maloney, from yet another Scotland corner, whips in the ball and the Georgia defence partially clear. The ball drops to James Morrison and the West Brom midfielder smacks it on the volley but it's high over the bar and stands more chance of taking out someone's pie and bovril than threatening goalkeeper Gorgi Lorla.

Rian Hoskins:, external Hoolahan-McGeady-Keane is a strong attacking line for Ireland. Keane will score anywhere. Arguably Ireland's greatest player

Stevie Rooney:, external Watching Scotland game live in Vietnam. Makes for interesting commentary. Empty seats at Ibrox not a good look. Shame.

Will Keogh:, external Steven Naismith has started really poorly - maybe he thinks he's still playing for Rangers at Ibrox!

Much better from Scotland. Ikechi Anya thunders down the left and is thwarted by a desperate challenge by the back-tracking Solomon Kverkvella.

It's a corner for the hosts but once again they can't force the issue with a promising set-piece.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Former Scotland international Willie Miller: "Georgia are defensively well-drilled. If they get a point, they will be delighted. There's two banks of four, with defensive-minded players. They are making it difficult for Scotland, there's no space to work in."

We get the first view of Georgia boss Temuri Ketsbaia, emerging from the dugout in a long trench-coat and scarf, looking like a Bond baddie or a sly assassin from Mission Impossible. All that's missing is lighting the cigar and sending forth a huge plume of blue smoke.

He offers a quick, resigned shake of the head before taking his seat again; obviously unhappy at his side's attacking efforts so far...

A hat-trick inside 18 minutes for Robbie Keane. He sends goalkeeper Jordan Perez, who conceded the penalty, the wrong way. That is now 65 international goals in 135 matches for the former Tottenham man, who is now at LA Galaxy.

Keane will have had fewer easier games than this. He has three goals already and will be looking to get a lot more.

Image source, PA

If your pub team defends like this tomorrow then you will be unhappy.

Another simple ball over the top releases Robbie Keane. His shot is blocked by Roy Chipolina, but the ball breaks to Wes Hoolahan who is clumsily brought down by goalkeeper Jordan Perez. It is an easy decision for Cypriot referee Leonitos Trattou and it is a penalty.

Image source, Getty Images

Two goals for Robbie Keane with barely a quarter of the game gone. You would not bet against him grabbing a hat-trick, would you?

Pick a number, this could end up as anything. Awful defending from Gibraltar. Darron Gibson gives the ball to Wes Hoolahan and a simple ball through the middle of the visitors' back four allows Robbie Keane to run through and calmly finish past Jordan Perez.

Two goals in 14 minutes for Ireland and for Keane. The game looks over already, it is just a question how many Ireland will win by.

Image source, Getty Images

Alan Hutton, a full back reborn at Aston Villa, gallops down the right before feeding Shaun Maloney but Georgia are quick to press the pint-sized attacker.

It's very, very tight in the opening 15 minutes at Ibrox and we're still waiting for the first goal.

Valeri Qazaishvili sparks Georgia's first decent foray forward but Scotland's defence are alive to the danger and Russell Martin is there to mop up the attack and trigger a collective sigh of relief among the home fans.

Whistles swirl around Ibrox as Georgia enjoy their longest spell of possession; with Scottish midfielders snapping at their heels.

Patience will be the key for Scotland, you'd imagine. Georgia offer a different kind of threat to Germany.

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Regan:, external This is the kind of game that Scotland have to start winning comfortably if they're to qualify for big competitions. COME ON.

Scotland force the first corner of the game as the men in blue ping the ball about with attacking zest...

But they fail to profit from the set piece and Georgia clear their lines. Gordon Strachan and his Scotland assistant Stuart McCall share a tactical thought on the touchline. Encouraging signs for the hosts but it remains goalless after five minutes.

Republic of Ireland take only six minutes to break down the Rock. A poor clearance from Gibraltar goalkeeper Jordan Perez enables Wes Hoolahan to release Aiden McGeady down the right wing.

The Everton man, who scored twice in Ireland's 2-1 win against Georgia, plays a perfectly-weighted cross along the floor to an unmarked Robbie Keane and he sidefoots the ball into the net for his 63rd international goal.

Image source, Getty Images

Crewe have completed a 2-1 win over Coventry, only their second victory of the season, but remain bottom thanks to Scunthorpe's 3-0 win at Gillingham.

Bristol City have extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with a 3-2 success over Chesterfield, with Peterborough moving up to second by winning 4-1 at Crawley.

Port Vale have moved out of the bottom three with a 4-1 home win against Yeovil.

Scotland, eager to make early inroads into Georgian territory, move forward and try to get the ball to Steven Naismith.

However, the visitors do enough to snuff out the danger.