Since the Republic of Ireland succumbed to a last-16 penalty shoot-out defeat by Spain in the 2002 World Cup, they are the only nation from the British Isles other than England to have since qualified for a a major tournament since. In fact, more correctly, all five of the nations who make up the British Isles - the Republic of Ireland is not part of the United Kingdom but is in the British Isles - hold realistic ambitions of reaching the expanded European Championship tournament in France in 2016. It is for that reason that when Ireland travel to Celtic Park to face Scotland on Friday night, the game will be of huge significance to the potential fortunes of both sides.
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Scotland host Ireland at Celtic Park on Friday (7.45pm kick-off)
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It is potentially the biggest fixture on British soil in years
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Both sides hold realistic ambitions of qualifying for Euro 2015 in France
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Sportsmail gives 10 reasons why this is such a huge match
This time in an Ireland shirt, Scotland will be hoping he does not send those fans home as happy as he once did by bagging the winner for @placeholder.