Summary

  • Christophe Berra header breaks deadlock for Scotland

  • First meeting between the nations since since 2011

  • Warm-up for Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifiers

  • Use 'Live Coverage' tab to choose commentary

  1. Postpublished at 22:18 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    That's enough from me. Like an awful lot of friendlies, the game at Hampden will not live long in the memory, but it's a useful warm-up act for Sunday.

    Best of luck for Sunday when Northern Ireland host Finland and Scotland take on Gibraltar at Hampden. Make sure you join us for coverage of those Euro 2016 qualifiers.

    Good night.

  2. Postpublished at 22:15 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    The BBC Radio Scotland team are busy debating what the formation will be against Gibraltar - and they don't see Gordon Strachan tinkering too much with his usual shape and going with two strikers. Full-backs Alan Hutton and Andrew Robertson were rested tonight and they are both fond of rampaging forward, so maybe those two will be prominent attackers at Hampden.

  3. Postpublished at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    More from Scotland manager Gordon Strachan

    "I was delighted for Darren Fletcher. I thought he was terrific for the whole game.

    "[On the captaincy] I've got decisions to make, good ones..."

  4. Postpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Scotland manager Gordon Strachan

    "I thought the first half hour was good for a friendly, we showed a good attitude. But the game wobbled and died a bit until the last 15 minutes. But we kept plugging away and doing the right things.

    "And to win the game and keep a clean sheet is good.

    "I got what I expected from the players. Some were better than others. We'll do some hard work on Friday and Saturday and I have a plan in mind for Sunday and we go into the game feeling good about ourselves."

  5. Postpublished at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    And what about the Scotland captaincy? It was good to see Darren Fletcher back in the middle of the park and he was neat and tidy. Scott Brown, who was rested entirely tonight, perhaps offers more drive and do you need two deep-lying midfielders at home to Gibraltar?

  6. Postpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor got a half each tonight. Does that mean David Marshall will get his place back on Sunday? Either way, the Scotland goalkeeper should not be too busy against Gibraltar, who are yet to score in Euro 2016 qualifying.

  7. Join the debate at #bbcscotfootballpublished at 21:59 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Ross McKenzie: "We go 1 nil down and our fans get louder. Best fans in Europe. #bbcscotfootball #GAWA"

  8. Postpublished at 21:57 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

    "When you make so many substitutions, you are continually changing markers from set-pieces. Under normal circumstances, I don't think we'd have lost that goal - and it's disappointing for Michael McGovern who had a good game.

    "We left seven or eight of our first team players out, so it's positive to get some of the boys more experience."

  9. Postpublished at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Managers always talk about fringe players forcing their way into the team in games like these. But it rarely works like that does it? Scotland boss Gordon Strachan is sure to call on experienced players such as Scott Brown and Alan Hutton on Sunday, while Steven Naismith is a certain starter. Of those on the periphery, Craig Forsyth was perhaps the stand-out at left-back.

  10. Postpublished at 21:48 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender

    "I thought the first half was exciting, it was played at a good tempo. But the game was spoiled a bit because Northern Ireland had little interest in getting forward. They defended with enthusiasm and worked hard off the ball but that approach must be a bit soul destroying in a friendly match."

  11. Postpublished at 21:45 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Northern Ireland look forward to a home game with Finland on Sunday and the team will look very different at Windsor Park. Michael O'Neill's side are aiming to build on a great start to Euro 2016 qualifying and sit second in Group F after four matches.

  12. Postpublished at 21:44 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Former Northern Ireland defender John O'Neill

    "That was a glorified practice game, as we expected. We'd rather have had a 0-0 than a 1-0 defeat. All eyes are now on Sunday - that is a big, big game. It's the first time we've been in with a genuine shout of qualification for a major finals for a long, long time."

  13. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:39 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    A win for Scotland ahead of Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier with Gibraltar and it was just about deserved, with the hosts doing most of the pressing.

    The first half was lively, with Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern kept busy, but the second half was hard going, with lots of substitutions and nothing much to excite the small crowd at Hampden. Christophe Berra popped up with the late goal - a header from a corner.

  14. Postpublished at 21:38 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Steven Naismith and Jordan Rhodes race forward against an exposed Northern Ireland defence but the Blackburn striker is off balance when he gets the ball and scuffs a shot straight at Michael McGovern.

  15. Postpublished at 21:37 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    We're getting an extra two minutes added. What about all the subs? Just kidding. Two more minutes is quite enough.

  16. Postpublished at 21:36 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    A nice way for Christophe Berra to celebrate his 29th cap. His last international goal came in February 2012 and tonight's takes his tally to three.

  17. Postpublished at 21:33 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Willie Miller
    Former Scotland defender

    "The marking from Northern Ireland was a bit suspect there, a centre-back should not be getting a free header, but it was a good finish."

  18. GOALpublished at 21:30 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    Following a wee flurry from the visitors, Scotland win a corner and Christophe Berra is the unlikely goalscorer, nodding in a fizzing delivery from Matt Ritchie. Lee Hodson was guarding the post but could not alter his body shape in time to clear.

    Christophe Berra celebratesImage source, Reuters
  19. Postpublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    A corner to Northern Ireland as Ikechi Anya blocks a shot and Allan McGregor flaps at Pat McCourt's delivery but there is no one in blue to profit.

  20. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2015

    And another... Jonny Evans, who hasn't looked at all rusty, despite his domestic ban, makes way for Luke McCullough of Doncaster Rovers.