Celtic Park is rocking. Plenty of green shirts dotted about the stadium, a lively atmosphere in store.

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Scotland: Marshall, Whittaker, Russell Martin, Hanley, Robertson, Maloney, Mulgrew, Brown, Anya, Naismith, Steven Fletcher. Subs: Gordon, Chris Martin, Berra, Dorrans, Bannan, Greer, Darren Fletcher, Burke, Russell, May, Gilks.

Rep of Ireland: Forde, Coleman, Keogh, O'Shea, Ward, McGeady, Hendrick, Gibson, McClean, Walters, Long. Subs: Randolph, Clark, Christie, Keane, Meyler, Pilkington, Brady, Quinn, Pearce, Murphy, Given.

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan on Sky Sports: "I don't know what Ireland are going to do [tactically]. I know what we'll try to do. We'll have to see how the game pans out. We set our game plan out in training - the players pick it up from that.

"All the games so far have been must-win. We'll see what happens."

Sam Robson:, external For Gibraltar's sake, I hope it doesn't happen, but Australia's 31-0 record win may be in jeopardy tonight, should Germany feel like going for it!

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill: "This is always an intimidating place. It's nice to be back. It should be a cracker. Shane Long has been champing at the bit and it will suit him this evening.

"With Poland winning earlier on it makes this an even bigger game."

Shane Long has one goal in 19 competitive games for the Republic of Ireland. In his defence, a lot of them were as substitute appearances. Can he deliver tonight?

Andrew from Belfast: Northern Ireland are on the cusp of achieving something great in this qualifying campaign. I know it's not an easy prospect, but any sort of positive result tonight would put us in a very strong position for qualification. This is our time, I can feel it!

Peter: Realistically, although it might be a novelty to watch some teams play in major finals for the first time in years, the main problem is that it is going to totally dilute a tournament that is, more often than not, of a higher quality overall than the World Cup.

Republic of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady could have played for Scotland, while Scottish forward Shaun Maloney could have played for the Republic. Republic substitute Alex Pearce used to play for Scotland Under-21s.

Could be a few players getting heated responses from the stands this evening...

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After three rounds of qualifying games across the board, the picture is looking rosy for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. But who does qualify for the finals in France?

The 53 teams in nine qualifying groups of six will be reduced to 24 teams in the finals.

All first and second-placed teams go through, plus the best third-placed team.

All other third-placed teams go into two-legged play-offs with the winners to progress.

Hosts France qualify automatically.

Catch up with the latest tables here.

Stephen Glynn: There is not a chance that both of Scotland and Ireland could both get there. One through the play-off maybe.

A quick scan of the bookies suggest that Gibraltar are around 200-1 to win in Germany this evening. In a two-horse race! They are 100-1 to draw. In the history of unlikely football results, a Gibraltar win would be right at the very top of the list.

Even German fans must be tempted to back the minnows...

Dafydd Williams:, external England, Wales and Northern Ireland will make it to Euro 2016 but difficult to see both the Republic of Ireland and Scotland there as well.

Ken Gorry:, external Of all Republic of Ireland's away fixtures left to play, this one worries me most. The Scots will fight for everything but would love both teams to make it.

L Higgins:, external Hope it's not a cricket score against Gibraltar. Can they not, instead of parking the bus, park the rock of Gibraltar?

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

"I was chatting to former Republic boss Brian Kerr - he said that was the team he picked. I was surprised by Robbie Keane's exclusion. It's about pace in attack [which is why Shane Long was picked]. Ireland expect Scotland to push on to them and expect gaps behind the defence."

"Germany will win the group - there's absolutely no question about that" says Republic boss Martin O'Neill. The Germans are currently only third in Group D but you could easily see them not dropping another point from here on in.

Robbie Keane's record of 65 goals for his country is outstanding - but time waits for no man and the 34-year-old is perhaps not best suited for games away from home any more. Shane Long will run all night long up top for the Republic of Ireland.

Keane to come on after 65 minutes?

Ex-Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think Republic manager Martin O'Neill is perhaps resting Robbie Keane - it's a huge call. When he gets chances he gets goals. But Shane Long comes into this game in form."

The other games tonight come in Groups F and I.

In F, shock leaders Northern Ireland can stay on top with a win or draw in Romania, while even a defeat will leave them in the top two. The other games see Hungary face Finland and Greece host the Faroe Islands.

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The picture in Group I is remarkably tight. It's the group nobody wants to win, as leaders Denmark still only have four points from three games.

The Danes are in Serbia tonight, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will be looking to get back in the mix with a win over Armenia.

Follow the live scores on the right of this page or in the 'live scores' tab.

Image source, Reuters

There are eight games in European Championship qualifying this evening, with the leaders of Group D - Poland - in early action.

They faced Georgia in a 17:00 GMT kick-off and pulled off a 4-0 win to move further ahead of the pack.

The other games in Group D are our main focus - Scotland v Republic of Ireland - and world champions Germany hosting minnows Gibraltar. Could be a cricket score at that one...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Republic of Ireland won the last meeting of these sides, with Robbie Keane scoring the winner in Dublin in 2011. Prior to that Kevin Kilbane - who is working for BBC Radio 5 live tonight - and Clinton Morrison - who is not - bagged in a 2-0 win in Glasgow in 2003.

In fact the last time Scotland beat the Republic was way back in 2000 - Barry Ferguson and Don Hutchison cancelling out Mark Kennedy's opener. Remember him?

Nick, you can't be far off a place in the squad...