Football
Kevin Palmer 9y

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan content with draw in Dublin

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was satisfied with his side's 1-1 draw against what he described as the Irish "warriors" in Dublin, but he was keen to play down the significance of the result.

A Shaun Maloney shot that deflected into the Ireland goal via John O'Shea's back gave the Scots a draw that keeps them two points ahead of one of their chief Euro 2016 rivals and in pole position to secure a top-three finish in qualifying Group D.

"They are warriors, they stick in there and they made it difficult for us," Strachan said. "You don't normally see matches with that intensity in June, when football people tend to be on their holidays.

"We had to have a wee change of tactics at half-time and we played much better after the break. We are still in with a good chance of qualifying and after playing a good number of games now, that is terrific work from my lads."

Scotland forward Shaun Maloney admitted his side needed to change their approach at the break as they looked to bounce back from a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

Maloney answered the call once again after scoring the winner against the Irish in Glasgow back in November.

His deflected shot on Saturday earned the Scots a valuable point in the return meeting on a day when Strachan's men were not at their best.

"Going a goal behind, we have to say the draw is a good result," the Chicago Fire striker told Sky Sports. "We move on to the next time in September and what will be another two big games.

"We were allowed them far too much possession in the first half and we needed to press them more. We did that in the second half and it made things a lot easier for us."

Maloney is keeping his fingers crossed he will be credited with the goal.

"At the time it felt like my goal. Fingers crossed," he said. "I was unsure it was [on target]. I hit and I knew it took a deflection but I am not overly worried.

"It was a big moment in the game. It was a bit of joy, a bit of relief, all sort of mixed into one.

"It meant the world to me. It means everything for me to play here and to see the ball go in the back of the net, these moments are very special."

Strachan heaped praise upon Maloney, who once again proved Scotland's key man.

He said: "All I know is a very good player scored a wonderful goal again, so for all the systems and whatever you talk about, a very good player has got us a point, and a very good player 10 minutes from the end, who is no taller than me, is back in the right-back position heading the ball away from McClean.

"He's the most conscientious football player I have ever come across. He deserves every praise he gets, so if any young football wants to watch anybody, it's him."

Russell Martin said Ireland midfielder James McCarthy expected to see red instead of yellow after the challenge in the first half which left the Scotland defender receiving treatment for a nose injury, which was covered by a small plaster when he emerged into the media mixed-zone after the game.

The Norwich defender said: "He caught me with some part of his arm. He said it was accidental, he has apologised, so it's fine.

"When he saw the referee branding a card I think he said that he thought it might be a red but fortunately for him and Ireland, it was a yellow, not so fortunate for us.

"I don't know [if he should have been sent off], I would have to see it again. I wasn't happy about at the time but that's football, but he apologised so we move on."

Information from Press Association was used in this report.

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