REPUBLIC OF IRELAND:

Shay Given: Touched over a Steven Fletcher first-half shot. Next duty was to pick the ball out his net at the Scotland equaliser. Beyond that didn't have a huge amount to do. 6

Seamus Coleman: Everton full-back allowed to get forward regularly into good positions and send balls into the box. Anya's appearance at half-time gave him more to do defensively in the second period. 7

John O'Shea: Unlucky to see Shaun Maloney's shot cannon off his back for Scotland's equalising goal. Kept Sunderland team-mate Steven Fletcher largely quiet. 6

Marc Wilson: Nothing complicated from the Stoke defender who cleared his lines with minimal fuss. Should have been booked for tackle through the back on Fletcher. 6

Robbie Brady: Offered enticing service both at dead ball opportunities and also from open play. Another who was not taxed too much defensively. 6

Glenn Whelan: Had Ireland's first real opportunity - a shot that sailed well over - and also picked up the first booking of the match for a foul on Steven Fletcher. Subbed midway through second half. 6

James McCarthy: An early nibble at Scott Brown's ankles signalled the Glaswegian-born Irishman's intent and he was later booked for an elbow on Russell Martin when he easily could have seen red. 5

Jeff Hendrick: Always looked to provide the link between the Irish midfield and attack. Elbow into James Morrison's face went unpunished. 6

Wes Hoolahan: One-time Livingston player proved a persistent pain for Scotland and slid a great pass through to Daryl Murphy for a second-half chance. 6

Daryl Murphy: A surprise starter in attack for Ireland ahead of Shane Long but had chances. Looping header late in the first half brought out the first save from David Marshall and was then involved with goal. Shot early in the second half well saved by the goalkeeper. 7

Jon Walters: First real involvement in the game was to tap in Ireland's goal, albeit from an offside position and with a hint of handball. A sustained aerial threat. 6

Subs:

James McClean (for Whelan 67): Wigan winger sent on as Ireland chased a winning goal. Booked late on. 5

Robbie Keane (for Hoolahan 73): Veteran goalscorer subbed on to a huge ovation. Early shot straight into midriff of David Marshall. 5

Shane Long (for Murphy 80): The last hurrah but no heroics. 3

SCOTLAND:

David Marshall: Didn't have much to do before being beaten late in the first half from Walters' offside goal after keeping out Murphy's header. Dealt with the basics well. 6

Alan Hutton: Charged forward with regular enthusiasm although seemed to lose sight of Walters for Ireland's goal. Needlessly erratic at times at the back. 6

Russell Martin: Needed treatment midway through the first half after taking an elbow to the face but was able to continue. Had to withstand a sustained aerial bombardment but coped well. 6

Charlie Mulgrew: Could have started in midfield but instead handed a jersey in central defence. Second half free kick sailed high into the stand behind the goal. 6

Craig Forsyth: Nervy performance from the Derby full-back on his competitive debut as Ireland looked to pinpoint him. Surprisingly lasted 90 minutes. 5

Scott Brown: Initially unable to stamp his authority on the game in usual manner as Ireland swarmed around him but more influential in second half. 6

James Morrison: In ahead of Darren Fletcher and James McArthur to anchor the midfield beside Scott Brown and always looked composed, rarely giving the ball away. 6

Matt Ritchie: Preferred to Ikechi Anya but struggled to make any telling impact from the right wing. No surprise when the Bournemouth man was hooked at the break. 5

Steven Naismith: Another who struggled to get any joy from a robust Ireland backline. Not one of his better performances for Scotland but still grafted tirelessly. Booked late on. 6

Shaun Maloney: Match-winner last time around and had a big say again here, drawing Scotland level with a deflected shot early in the second half. 7

Steven Fletcher: Enjoyed first chance of the game, a driven effort that was tipped over, but beyond that struggled to create too much to trouble Shay Given. Luck summed up when he blocked a Naismith shot. 6

Subs:

Ikechi Anya (for Ritchie 46): Unlucky to be left out and made an instant impact, setting up Shaun Maloney for Scotland's equaliser within the opening minutes. Gave the whole team a lift with his pace and dynamism. 7

James McArthur (for Brown 85): On to shore things up late on with Brown struggling. 4

Christophe Berra (for Naismith 90): Double-bolting the back door in injury time n/a