For Extratime.ie: Maloney singled out for praise by Strachan

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan singled out Shaun Maloney for special praise after the 32 year old midfielder once again proved to be a thorn in the side of the Republic of Ireland, playing a key role in helping the Scots earn a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium.

For Extratime.ie: McClean reveals O'Neill instruction - "Just don't get beat."

James McClean has revealed Martin O'Neill's very specific instruction on what to do differently against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium this weekend following November's 1-0 defeat to the same opposition: “Just don't get beat.” 

For Extratime.ie: If pressure's a problem, you're in the wrong game

Roy Keane has insisted that the players in the Republic of Ireland squad won't buckle in the face of expectation when they take to the Aviva Stadium pitch for this weekend's crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland – and added: “If pressure's a problem to you, then you're in the wrong game.” 

For Extratime.ie: Strachan insists he doesn't know how to play for a draw

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan insists he wouldn't know how to play for a draw even if he wanted to – and has said that he already knows what his starting XI will be for Saturday's massive Euro 2016 qualifying clash against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. 

For Extratime.ie: Brady ready to build on England performance

Martin O'Neill's experiment of converting Robbie Brady from winger to left-back at international level is set to undergo its sternest examination yet when Scotland travel to Dublin for a make or break Euro 2016 qualifier on Saturday. 

Hibs make it three from three against Rangers

Rangers 0  Hibernian 2

Hibernian picked up their third win of the season over Rangers at Ibrox as goals from Scott Robertson and Lewis Stevenson were enough to ensure that Hibs leapfrogged Rangers into second place in the SFA Championship table - though still a massive 17 points behind table-toppers Hearts.

Glasgow diary 2014: Paradise found (again)

We took our last Subway trip of the day back to St. Enoch’s station and took a 66 bus from the city to Parkhead. Celtic’s stadium felt far more welcoming to us than Ibrox had. I’m not sure which factor contributed to this more: a psychological predisposition caused by years of preconditioning/fandom or the hundreds of Irish tricolours dotted around the stadium (with hundreds more draping the stands inside).

Glasgow diary 2014: Firhill - the stadium you won't see unless you're looking for it.

Following Jon’s instructions, we made our way back to the Ibrox subway station and headed for St. George’s Cross in Glasgow’s West End. A twenty minute slog along Maryhill Road awaited us. 

Glasgow diary 2014: Ibrox - football stadium or office block?

The most ironic thing about us visiting Ibrox is that the stadium, in its current guise, was modelled on Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion (not something I knew before writing this piece, I admit). 

Glasgow diary 2014: Introduction.

Last weekend, myself and Anto Gallagher continued our tradition of taking in one random game abroad a year by visiting Glasgow to see Celtic face Inverness in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). Our early flight meant a 4a.m. start, but this put us in Glasgow city centre at eight, giving us ample time to decide what we should do with our solitary full day in Scotland’s largest city.

For Extratime.ie: Strachan happy with ref; O'Neill not so much

Gordon Strachan said he was happy with the performance of Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli during Scotland's 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, despite the official and his team missing Jonathan Walters occupying an offside position in the build-up to the home side's goal. 

For Extratime.ie: Martin O'Neill - It's important for the nation

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has not shied away from the enormity of this weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, saying: “It's important for the nation.”

On the importance of Neil Lennon staying at Celtic

Only 17 men have had the distinction of managing Glasgow Celtic in 125 years. Of those 17, only eight were in charge for three years or less - Liam Brady (1991-93), Lou Macari (93-94), Tommy Burns (94-97), Wim Jansen (97-98), John Barnes/Kenny Dalglish (99-2000) and Tony Mowbray (09-10). And presently, Neil Lennon is the eighth - this is only his third full season at the helm (but he's in charge three-and-a half years having taking over from Mowbray in March 2010 on a temporary basis initially).

Can Boyd and McFadden rejuvenate the SPL?

So James McFadden has returned to the SPL with his first club Motherwell, making substitute appearances in Motherwell's back-to-back defeats to Dundee United and Ross County, and looks all set to feature against runaway leaders Celtic tonight. And Kris Boyd has also returned to his roots, to Kenny Shiels' Kilmarnock - and he too could feature tonight, against Hibernian.