MARSHALL (8) Saved well from Jon Walters in just the second minute and then Darron Gibson shortly after.

Did well to hold a Shane Long header and palm clear an Aiden McGeady shot in the second half.

WHITTAKER (7) The right-back required medical treatment on his 25th cap after an appalling foul by Jeff Hendrick in the first half. Did not let the challenge deter him. Produced a polished display.

MARTIN (6) Dealt effectively with visiting front men. Marshalled the back line effectively.

HANLEY (6) Booked for a foul on Shane Long after 12 minutes. Was lucky not to be red-carded for his challenge on David Forde. That apart, he defended reliably.

ROBERTSON (6) The young left-back was clearly not fazed by the enormity of the occasion. Was up and down his flank all evening. Showed some quality touches.

BROWN (7) Solid. Stopped whatever attacks the opposing team attempted to initiate at source. Teed up Shaun Maloney deftly for the goal in the second half.

MULGREW (6) Paired up with his Celtic team-mate in the centre of midfield. Distributed the ball intelligently. Headed a Maloney cross just wide on the half-hour mark. His stunning delivery won the corner that led to the goal.

MALONEY (7) Looked the Scotland player most likely to create a chance. Whipped some fine balls in to the Ireland penalty area. Then popped up and netted a superb winner himself.

NAISMITH (8) A class act. The Everton man scarcely put a foot wrong all evening. Comfortable in possession, outstanding in the air. Set up Chris Martin with one of the best chances of the night.

ANYA (6) Probed and prodded at the Republic of Ireland defence all night. Did not make as big an impact as he has in previous internationals.

STEVEN FLETCHER (6) Headed a Maloney corner over the crossbar early on. Was then hacked down by Aiden McGeady. Failed to connect with an outstanding cross before half-time.

SUBSTITUTES:

MARTIN (3) Took over from Fletcher up front. Should have buried a Naismith pass in the 66th minute.

DARREN FLETCHER (3) On for the last few minutes. Hardly involved.