Caledonian Craig

Scotland are at home so the home boost would always be there at whatever the ground for Scotland's Celtic-based players. However, Ireland are away from home but playing at somewhere close to many of their players hearts is hardly going to upset them - in fact quite the opposite.

I would expect all of those players to feel right at home at any home Scotland match so this negates that effect in my opinion. On the other hand, being this is an away game for Ireland are you telling me Keane, McGeady etc were praying for this match to be at Hampden or Ibrox rather than Parkhead? I think, most definitely not. In fact, if memory serves I recall an article online with McGeady or O'Neill enthusing over the choice of venue for this match. I will see if I can dig it out. Here we are:- http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/martin-oneill-begs-sfa-play-3208337 or here:- http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/euro-2016-parkhead-clash-for-strachan-and-o-neill-1-3317326

Who are Ireland's key players? Robbie Keane (chief goalscorer) and Aiden McGeady (chief playmaker) and walking into Parkhead will be a very pleasing feeling to them and not unsettling at all. Great way to settle them down going into such a big match and in these favourable conditions it makes it more favourable for them to make a big contribution. Believe you me I hope I am wrong.

Spot on.

Now now no need to get nasty. You have your own opinion (bit of Celtic-bias there) and I have mine but with no bias.

I have already explained the spiritual meaning Parkhead has to the Irish so they are going to be extra-motivated (much more so than say Murrayfield). There is nowhere else in Scotland that holds that same kind of ambience however much you wish to deny it.

I don't get all this apathy towards Greer playing I really don't. He has won four caps and in three of those matches Scotland kept clean sheets. The only match in which he played and Scotland conceded goals was the friendly against Nigeria (2-2) so that is two goals conceded in four matches.

Where have I not said there wasn't but do me a favour eh? Watch any Celtic match on Euro nights and play a fun game called spot the saltire - that is damning evidence in itself. The point is no other ground or club in Scotland has such strong Irish connections (I won't include Hibs as size-wise as a club they are on a different scale). The only other club in Scotland with a strong fixation about nationality etc is Rangers who have a strong pro-Union element hence you could play another fun game of spot the saltire over the UJ's.

Nonsense. I do not see Anfield and Old Trafford awash with tri-colours.

You are blind if you do not recognise the very strong Irish connections to Celtic and Parkhead.

I would say it was the only logical route open to them. If the gate for this match isn't 50,000+ I will be very surprised especially if we get a decent result tonight and Ireland will bring a travelling support of around 10,000 I would guess. Barring taking the match to Murrayfield there is nowhere else in Scotland available just now and equipped to stage this match.

Well there are no two ways about it - it is like a spiritual home to many many Irish fans. Heck look at Parkhead on club European nights and you can play a game of spot the saltire over the tri-colour. I'd hazard a guess a great amount of Ireland fans have or do support Celtic above even teams in their native Ireland and I'd guess the same goes for the majority of the players so it is a lift to them straight away.

I would say Parkhead was chosen for the Ireland fixture (and not the Georgia match) for the perceived higher demand for tickets. Ireland will bring a large following unlike Georgia plus interest in Scotland may esculate a bit more if we are right in the shake-up for qualification after the Poland match. I would say a crowd of 50,000+ is a good possibility so Parkhead was the only viable option. Granted it seems to hand an advantage over to Ireland making it almost like a home fixture for their fans and players.

I agree Gary I thought he did really well in the link-up parts of his play. He set up a couple of really decent chances for us which were spurned by Naismith and Morrison. Hopefully, he can get on the scoresheet soon for us and I am sure he will go on a run from there.

Ah so we are getting to the crux of the issue. It is the anthem you don't like and want another anthem. Or if I misunderstood you feel we dont need anthems at matches in which case you'd be wrong as I do believe it is a necessity for all the pre-match pre-ambles.

That's a bit of a blow.

Totally agree. Also lets remember that expectation levels on the Poles will have risen ten-fold following that result and with it the pressure. Also it is a game they will be thinking is a must win (more pressure) and the chance they may think a win is a given since they just beat Germany.

No Gauld wasn't on the bench either and Berra was in the squad so can only presume he was carrying a knock.

I think it is a nailed on cert Darren Fletcher will start in midfield with either Maloney or Anya missing out but apart from that it will be unchanged in my opinion (barring players being fit of course). Marshall Hutton Martin Hanley Robertson D.Fletcher Brown Morrison Anya/Maloney Naismith Fletcher

Fair enough. It was a fantastic result (however it came about) and there can be no denying that. If I were a Pole now though my big fear would be complacency. I'd be worried the players may feel that if they can beat Germany then they needn't worry about Scotland and Ireland. Your confidence will be boosted but also pressure increases as expectations from the fans rise.

Spot on.

I would agree that Morrison was disappointing. If I remember correctly it was a loose pass from him that set Georgia on the break which they had a rare shot on goal from. His passing was off at times as well. He wasn't shocking but would say he was one of the weaker performers in midfield yesterday for us. Scott Brown was immense, Hutton impressed though his final ball could be improved, Robertson also impressed though tired towards the end, I thought Fletcher's link-up play was great but Naismith was a little disappointing. Our central defenders were untroubled but what they had to do they did well.

Spot on. I am not going to mess my pants on the back of one random result and yes it is random if you look at Poland's results in competitive matches in the last five years. Look at the stats of the match as well. Overwhelmingly, Germany were on top and by all accounts could have been 5-0 up at half-time but they had a horror night up front and paid for it. Yes I will say it is a dream result for Poland but one swallow doesn't make a summer.

Yes Wolfgang it was nauseating watching the news the next day with two English students celebrating the result. Oh the irony. Studying here because they don't have to pay fees unlike in their homeland yet still had the nerve to vote no.

Watch it biffer or I'll biff you.