We've had 36 minutes of a blood and thunder affair under the floodlights in the east end of Glasgow; but no goals, yet...

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sportsound pundit Billy Dodds

"We're having a spell aren't we? It's better from Scotland in the last five minutes..."

Close, very close. Steven Naismith works the ball out to the right wing and Shaun Maloney's wicked cross finds the unmarked Charlie Mulgrew, whose header flashes just wide.

Gordon Strachan, on the touchline, reacts with a grimace and mouth in balloon knot pose.

Paul, Fraserburgh: Why was the kick off not delayed? Got here on time but massive queues at turnstiles. Still outside. What an absolute joke.

Anon: What an utter shambles outside this ground.

Scotland defender Grant Hanley, already on a booking, clatters into Rep of Ireland goalkeeper David Forde as they vie for a high ball. Forde requires treatment but Hanley speeds upfield without punishment.

Jeff Hendrick earns a yellow card for scything down Steven Whittaker; tempers beginning to fray at Celtic Park...

It remains goalless after 25 minutes of the first half at Celtic Park. The game is wide open but we're still waiting for the breakthrough.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

BBC Sportsound pundit Willie Miller

"There's nothing in this game so far and the teams are having a right go at each other."

Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Scotland

Huge crowds still not inside 15 mins after kick-off. Fans not happy.

Jon Walters feeds James McClean but the winger is thwarted by a combination of Steven Whittaker and Shaun Maloney. Scotland break but a promising counter attack fizzles out.

Gordon Strachan roars some tactical instructions for his Scottish troops and the hosts respond with a blizzard of attacks. The Irish, however, form a determined white sea between the Scots and goalkeeper David Forde.

Group D leaders rivals Germany are a goal to the good at home to Gibraltar; the galloping-socks-at-the-ankles Thomas Mueller giving the world champions the lead.

Shaun Maloney arrows in the subsequent free kick that seems to take an eternity to drop out of the Glasgow night sky, only for John O'Shea to get his noggin on it and clear the danger.

Aiden McGeady earns a booking for chopping Scotland striker Steven Fletcher. A mixture of boos, cheers and yelps inside Celtic Park.

Scotland defender Grant Hanley, and the home supporters inside Celtic Park, breathe a sigh of relief as he receives just a yellow for scything down Shane Long. The striker would've been in on goal there but referee Milorad Mazic decides a yellow is sufficient punishment.

Martin O'Neill, looking on, takes a rapid slug of his bottled water.

The Irish press again and Grant Hanley reacts brilliantly to mop up a long diagonal into the box with Jon Walters patrolling with intent. Darron Gibson then fizzes a shot on goal.

A touch of pantomime at Celtic Park: Aiden McGeady booed by some of the home fans, triggering a song of support from the Irish supporters.

Anonymous: "What an utter shambles outside this ground." A lot of seats still to be filled at Celtic Park.

Six minutes gone at Celtic Park and both sides are straining at the leash to bomb forward given the chance. It remains goalless but a goal may be just around the corner...

Scotland respond immediately and Steven Fletcher will be disappointed after heading over Shaun Maloney's corner. The Sunderland marksman was all alone in the box there and will feel he should've hit the target.

Aiden McGeady, on his return to Celtic Park, is being booed with every touch. Stoke City's Jon Walters tests David Marshall with a shot from distance but David Marshall gathers comfortably. Good work there by Shane Long, who scored a couple for Southampton last weekend after coming on as a substitute against Leicester City.