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Nick Bruzon: , externalGetting ready in London to watch Gibraltar humble Germany

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BBC Sport chief sports writer Tom Fordyce: "England's problem is once again likely to be less in making a major finals than doing something worthwhile when they get there. It is reflected in the reaction of their players after each match: some satisfaction, little joy.

"But for others there is that rare thing: hope that they too could join the party.

"Scotland have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament in 16 years. Northern Ireland have waited 28 years, Wales a heavy 56.

"All three will go into 2015 believing those wilderness years could be coming to an end."

Read more from Tom Fordyce here.

Gary from Larne: Northern Ireland will never ever have a better opportunity to make the finals, point tonight and it's one foot there! Would love Scotland to make it!

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If international football doesn't float your boat, there is also action in the Football League to keep abreast of this evening.

In League One, Barnsley welcome Colchester, with the Tykes fresh from victory over Sheffield United in the South Yorkshire derby last weekend. The visitors Colchester are just two points above the drop zone, but could leapfrog tonight's opponents with a win at Oakwell.

In League Two, it is Cambridge against Northampton, with these two sides level on points in mid-table. A win could take tonight's victors to the cusp of the play-off places.

David Fincham: , externalRealistically can only see one of Ireland and Scotland qualifying. Which one remains to be seen...

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FA Cup third round day is almost upon us, and we have a tie worthy of the famous competition in Germany this evening. Gibraltar's collection of ex-pros, part-timers and junior players are in the home of the world champions no less.

Germany aren't known for taking it easy on the smaller sides. They tonked San Marino 13-0 a few years ago.

Some words of comfort needed then. And how about this from the Gibraltar Chronicle?, external

"It takes real courage of David and Goliath proportions to face one of the world's greatest football teams. The easiest thing in the world would be to be disheartened and yet a sell-out crowd the size of Gibraltar's population on a busy day is said to have secured seats for the event.

"There can be little doubt that with such resolve Gibraltar's team will in due course find its level in international football and continue to make the Rock proud. Whatever the result all Gibraltar wishes the team well. The best of British luck!"

An Englishman, a Scotsman, a Welshman and two Irishmen from either side of the border walk into a bar.

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Is this the start of a terrible joke, or a scenario in France in the summer of 2016? Can all of the nations qualify? It's looking good at the moment.

How many of the five teams will realistically make it to the final 24? Who will miss out? And why? Let us know.

Get in touch at #bbcfootball, external, pop on to the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or BBC Sport's Google+ area., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - don't forget to say who you are and where you are texting from.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has made three enforced changes from the team which beat Greece 2-0 for the Group F qualifier against Romania in Bucharest.

Port Vale defender Ryan McGivern comes in for the injured Shane Ferguson at left-back, Chris Brunt replaces injured skipper Steven Davis in midfield and Aberdeen winger Niall McGinn is named in place of another injured player, Jamie Ward.

Northern Ireland team: Carroll, C McLaughlin, McGivern, Hughes, McAuley, Baird, Brunt, C Evans, Norwood, McGinn, K Lafferty.

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Bucharest on a Friday night? Sounds lovely. And it could be even lovelier for those Northern Ireland fans out to see their side - who are flying.

Northern Ireland have made a magnificent start to the qualifying campaign, winning their opening three games for the first time.

They lead Group F and are two points ahead of the second-placed Romanians. A win tonight and they really can start to dream of a place in the finals...

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport

"Confidence is high in both squads thanks to their recent resurgence in form and predicting the outcome is tricky.

"Probably the only result that would give cause for surprise would be an overwhelming victory for one side or the other: neither a narrow win for either team nor a draw seem an outlandish prospect.

"With Gordon Strachan and Martin O'Neill, it is more about a feel for the game, a knowledge built up over many years of how to get the best out of a group of players, individually and collectively.

"Strachan may not be quite the icon O'Neill remains at Celtic Park, but he will certainly be the more popular of the two if he comes out on top tonight."

Read more from Alasdair here.

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Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill led Celtic to three league titles, three Scottish Cups, one League Cup and a Uefa Cup final during his spell in charge - before he was replaced by Gordon Strachan.

Small world eh?

"It will be really strange to walk into the club and walk right to the away dressing room rather than left," O'Neill said.

"I said jokingly - and I think I actually mean this - I'm not even sure that I ever set foot in the away team dressing room, ever."

Tonight's the night Martin...

No Robbie Keane? A bold move? Or the right call?

There are five changes for Republic of Ireland - with the big news the omission of Robbie Keane. Shane Long's pace gets him the nod.

Republic of Ireland: Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward, McGeady, Hendrick, Gibson, McClean, Long, Walters

Scotland make three changes from the side which drew 2-2 with Poland last time out. Grant Hanley, Andrew Robertson and Charlie Mulgrew are in.

Scotland: Marshall, Whittaker, R. Martin, Hanley, Robertson, Maloney, Mulgrew, Brown, S. Fletcher, Naismith, Anya

It may surprise you that these two near neighbours have only met nine times before. But they know each other very well.

For starters, five of the Scottish players and four Irishmen have played for Celtic at some stage of their careers, while both managers and Ireland assistant Roy Keane also count Celtic Park as one of their former homes.

So there is no excuse for getting lost.

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"The propaganda's gone. The game is on.

"That is Scotland's territory and they're coming to Scotland's territory.

"Everything's been built up over the last couple of weeks. It has become a hot game."

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was in fighting mood this week as he prepares to welcome the Republic of Ireland to Celtic Park for a crunch qualifier in Group D.

Both sides are very much in the running for a place in the finals in France in two years' time. But who will be smiling by 10pm tonight? Strachan or Martin O'Neill...?

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