Republic of Ireland 1-0 Scotland: Robbie Keane nets 49th international goal as unbeaten hosts seal victory in Home Nations Cup

The opening 45 minutes offered just a handful of clear-cut chances, with Phil Bardsley testing Shay Given with a well struck effort from 30 yards, but the Republic ‘keeper was able to touch it onto the crossbar. The hosts' captain Keane put them in the lead with a left-foot stunner that travelled under the body of the diving Allan McGregor.

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £26.00

Draw £32.00

Ireland £25.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £29.00

Draw £32.00

Ireland £25.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £28.00

Draw £32.50

Ireland £25.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £29.00

Draw £33.00

Ireland £24.00

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Hungary £29.00

Draw £31.00

Ireland £23.00

Scotland were given most of the ball in the second half as the Republic let them take the possession as the defended the game out. Kenny Miller could have a penalty when he was brought down by Stephen Hunt, but the referee thought nothing of it in the most decisive moment after the break.

Giovanni Trapattoni made four changes from the side that beat their neighbours Northern Ireland 5-0 in the week, with Darren O’Dea, Keith Fahey, Hunt and Liam Lawrence coming in. Scotland meanwhile brought in Celtic youngster James Forrest to make his senior international debut.

Both sides started the game brightly, with neither shying away from showcasing an early attacking instinct. The hosts could have found the net if it weren’t for Scotland’s organised defence stopping Simon Cox’s run inside the box from being fruitful.

The visitors followed the chance up with one of their own, as Charlie Adam was let loose with a powerful effort with his left-foot that just went over Shay Given’s bar.

A majestic save from the Republic’s ‘keeper kept out an audacious attempt from Scotland’s Bardsley a quarter of an hour into the game. The long-range effort swerved and twisted through the air, but Manchester City’s No. 2 managed to get to full stretch to finger-tip it onto the bar.

The home side opened the scoring just after 20 minutes, with Keane getting his 49th goal for the Republic and levelling Bobby Charlton’s record for England in the process. 

A breakthrough down the middle by Paul McShane started the move, the defender slipping the ball to the striker for the Spurs man to power forward to the edge of the box and smash the ball home, going under McGregor’s casual dive on the way through.

Star man | Keane's 49th international goal won the Home Nations Cup

Steven Naismith had a confident try at goal as the first half reached its concluding moments, Barry Robson pulling the ball back to the edge of the area for the striker to put his laces through the ball, but Given was allowed enough time to get down and again make the save.

It could have been two for the Republic five minutes after the restart after a free-kick from Hunt picked up an unmarked Cox just inside the area and the West Brom man failed to take full advantage of the space around him, dragging his effort just wide of the far post.

Scotland had a chance to equalise after Robson got the by-line on the right-side of the Republic’s goal and placed a cross to the back-post for Forrest, but the 19-year-old had to watch his slightly mis-hit touch go agonisingly wide from six yards.

A big penalty shout for the visitors came after Miller was certain that Hunt had brought him down deep inside the Republic’s area and replays deemed the Scotsman’s argument fully justifiable, with the referee letting the Wolves midfielder off to leave the Bursapor striker livid.

The Republic dropped off towards the end of the game, allowing Scotland to create chances they had to take if they wanted to win the game and the competition. 

Miller spurned the final full opportunity of the match as full-time approached after latching onto Naismith's through-ball, but hitting his shot wide of the post when he appeared destined to score.