Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's international friendly match between Scotland and Northern Ireland at Hampden Park. Both teams have been in encouraging form of late so will want to keep that up going into their respective Euro 2016 qualifiers on Sunday. Let's start with a look at the hosts tonight...

Scotland's hopes of qualifying for a major international tournament have been reborn somewhat under Gordon Strachan, who has enjoyed a successful reign at the helm so far. The Tartan Army hasn't travelled to a tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, but with an extra qualification spot up for grabs in each group of the ongoing Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, hopes are high that they can end that wait.

There is no doubting that Scotland face a tough task in reaching France 2016, however, with four teams currently vying for those three spots in Group D. World champions Germany are amongst them, although they do not top the group as things stand following an iffy start to their own campaign. Poland have showcased their quality already, beating the Germans in the process, while Republic of Ireland are right in the mix too.

Scotland will need to maintain their encouraging form if they are to finish in the top three, then, and with Germany expected to ease through and Poland establishing themselves as a force, it could well come down to a straight shootout between Gordon Strachan's side and the Republic of Ireland. The third spot in the group goes into a playoff, and Scotland will be desperate to pip their close neighbours to that spot, if not one of the automatic qualification places.

The Scots have amassed seven points from their opening four games of the campaign, putting them in a cluster of three teams level on points alongside Germany and the Republic of Ireland. As mentioned, Poland have been the early pace-setters, but Scotland will be very confident of picking up another three points on Sunday when they take on minnows Gibraltar, who have been shipping goals for fun so far.

With Republic of Ireland face a tricky match at home to Poland and Germany away to the stubborn Georgia, that home tie against Gibraltar could give the Scots a chance to steal a march over their rivals. Of course, who qualifies is likely to be determined by results between the four teams currently in the mix, and Scotland have not fared at all badly in that respect so far. They have beaten Republic of Ireland and drawn with Poland, as well as putting in a valiant losing effort away to Germany.

That Germany defeat is one of just two matches that Scotland have lost in their last 11 outings, a run of form that has also seen them win six games and keep an impressive six clean sheets. In addition to Germany, England are the only other team to have beaten Scotland in that time, although that friendly defeat to the Auld Enemy was their most recent match back in November. Overall under Strachan, Scotland have won eight and lost just six of their 17 matches.

Scotland have kept four clean sheets in their last five matches at home, although this will be their first appearance at Hampden Park since November 2013. The Commonwealth Games took priority at the stadium last year, but they are back at their more traditional home now. They have lost just one of their last seven friendlies in front of their own fans, while you have to go back to November 2004 for the last time they lost a home friendly to a team currently ranked below them in the FIFA rankings.

Northern Ireland are only four places below the Scots in those rankings now, however, having risen up them courtesy of some fine form of their own. They would have been outsiders to reach France 2016, even with the additional qualifying spot, but Michael O'Neill's men have made a promising start to their qualification campaign and will be confident of booking their place at a major tournament for the first time since the 1986 World Cup.

Indeed, Northern Ireland have never qualified for a European Championship, so the current crop of players would be rewarded with a small slice of history should they maintain their recent form over the entire campaign. There is still a long way to go for them, but they sit second in Group F and are already five points clear of fourth-placed Finland, giving them a handy cushion over the non-qualification spots.

They could open that gap up to eight points this weekend as they host Finland in Belfast knowing that victory would very much put them in the driving seat in terms of qualification. Northern Ireland also have Hungary, Greece and Romania in their group who will be hoping to challenge for a top-three spot, so Michael O'Neill will have been eyeing third before the campaign began. Victory on Sunday, however, would make a top-two place, and with it automatic qualification to Euro 2016, a very real possibility.

Northern Ireland have made their best ever start to a qualifying campaign, winning all of their opening three matches, including impressive away victories over Hungary and Greece. A home triumph over Faroe Islands was more expected, but Michael O'Neill's men have taken a few people by surprise with their blistering start. They did lose their 100% record against group leaders Romania last time out, but they remain well placed.

They come into this match, therefore, having won three of their last four matches - the same number of victories as they managed in 42 games prior to that. That 42-match run was spread over five years, stretching back to April 2009, which gives some indication of just how good a job Michael O'Neill has done so far.

The fact that two of those victories came away is even more impressive, with Northern Ireland beating both Hungary and Greece on their travels. That gave them back-to-back away wins for the first time since 2000 before Romania ruined the run with a 2-0 victory last time out. Even so, they had only managed two wins in their previous 33 away games before those consecutive triumphs, so again the improvement is clear to see.

Those positive results have come in competitive fixtures which is, of course, what will matter to Michael O'Neill, but their record in friendlies does not bode well ahead of tonight's game. They have not won any of their last 18 friendlies, stretching back to a 4-1 triumph of Georgia in March 2008, while they have failed to score in their last five and in 15 of their last 18. Even more worryingly, Northern Ireland have not found the back of the net at all in their last 12 friendlies away from home, a goal drought that stretches back a whopping nine years to August 2006.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline is that Ritchie is handed a debut for the hosts. Steven Fletcher is chosen up front, with Darren Fletcher preferred to Scott Brown in midfield. There is also a start in between the sticks for Craig Gordon, while Shaun Maloney features after his winter switch to the MLS. For Northern Ireland, Jonny Evans captains the side at centre-back, while club teammate Paddy McNair is handed his debut. Full teams for both sides coming right up...

SCOTLAND STARTING XI: Gordon; Whittaker, Forsyth, Greer, Martin; McArthur, D Fletcher, Ritchie; S Fletcher, Maloney, Anya

SCOTLAND SUBS: McGregor, Marshall, Russell, Brown, Naismith, May, Robertson, Rhodes, Berra, Hutton, Bannan, Reynolds, Morrison, Forrest

NORTHERN IRELAND STARTING XI: McGovern; D Lafferty, Evans, Baird, Dallas, Reeves, Norwood, McNair, Hughes, Magennis, Grigg

NORTHERN IRELAND SUBS: Mannus, C McLaughlin, McCullough, Davis, McKay, K Lafferty, Brunt, R McLaughlin, McCourt, Ward, Cathcart, Hodson

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, it may only be a friendly but it is unlikely to be a night Matt Ritchie forgets having been handed his debut. The midfielder has been in superb form for Bournemouth this season, helping the Cherries to challenge for automatic promotion with 11 goals, earning a first senior call-up as a result. Incidentally, this is his first visit to Scotland having lived his entire life South of the border, but that is unlikely to take anything away from his pride tonight.

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There are a few more familiar names elsewhere in the starting XI, including a start up front for Steven Fletcher. The striker has not been in the best form for struggling Sunderland in recent months, with the Black Cats struggling badly for goals as they battle against relegation. However, he has still been preferred to Jordan Rhodes, despite the Blackburn Rovers striker having scored four in his last five club games.

Maloney will look to provide Fletcher with support today on his first international appearance since moving to MLS side Chicago Fire in the winter transfer window. Often such a move can have an impact on a player's international career, but the former Wigan winger seems to be still be in Gordon Strachan's plans. On the other flank will be Ikechi Anya, who has the potential to be a real handful when on top form.

Darren Fletcher captains the side from the heart of midfield, and for the first time he won't wear the Scotland armband as a Manchester United player. The new West Brom man has been vying for the captaincy with Celtic's Scott Brown, who only makes the bench this evening. Gordon is chosen in goal ahead of McGregor and Marshall, although one of those may get some time today after Strachan announced his intention to use his whole squad over the next two games.

As for the visitors, they also have a debutant in their ranks as Manchester United's Paddy McNair is named in the starting lineup for the first time at international level. The youngster has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season at Old Trafford, albeit as a result of numerous defensive injuries at the club, and will now be hoping to establish himself as a regular in the Northern Ireland set-up.

He will be captained by club teammate Jonny Evans tonight, with the United centre-back picking up some much-needed game time in the middle of his ongoing domestic ban. He was suspended for six matches for allegedly spitting at Newcastle's Papiss Cisse, who in turn got a seven-game ban for spitting back. Evans continues to deny that he intentional spat at the Senegalese striker, but will be looking forward to getting back to playing tonight.

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McGinn is not included in the squad due to a hamstring injury today, with Michael O'Neill unwilling to take unnecessary risks with such a big Euro 2016 qualifier on the horizon. Baird of West Brom does play, but club teammate Chris Brunt is left out.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Hampden Park, which means that it is time for a prediction! Northern Ireland have a dreadful record in friendlies, particularly away from home, but they have improved a lot on the road recently. Scotland are also on an upward trajectory, though, and I can see the hosts picking up the win today. I'll go for a 2-0 home victory.

These two teams have not met each other since the short-lived Nations Cup back in 2011, with Scotland running out comfortable winners on that occasions. Kenny Miller, James McArthur and Kris Commons were all on the scoresheet for the visitors, who eased to a 3-0 triumph more than four years ago.

This is the first meeting between the two nations in Scotland since August 2008, and hopefully we are in for an more exciting match tonight than they provided on that occasion. It ended in a goalless draw at Hampden Park, with neither side able to give their fans much to shout about.

Tonight's match will act as a chance for the managers to get back used to their squad following a long international break. Neither side has played together since November, so it will be an important fine tuning session ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Finland respectively this Sunday.

The players are out and the anthems have been sung with plenty of gusto. We're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at Hampden Park now!

Before kickoff there will be a minute of applause in memory of the legendary Dave Mackay, who passed away earlier this year.

KICKOFF: A little later than planned, Scotland get us underway at Hampden Park for this friendly that both sides will be keen to win to keep their momentum going.

An early blow for McNair as he charges forward to win a header before colliding with Anya. It is a painful one for the Manchester United man on his debut, but he should be fine to continue.

CHANCE! Scotland almost grab an early goal as Anya plays a one-two to get in behind the defence down the left flank before pulling the ball back to Steven Fletcher inside the area. The Sunderland striker can't get a shot away first time, but he gets a second chance and fires a good strike in from close range. McGovern makes a fine stop to turn it over, though.

Some decent pressure from the hosts now as first a corner draws a goalmouth scramble that Northern Ireland eventually hack clear, before Maloney meets a cross at the back post, only to loop a header harmlessly onto the roof of the net.

Scotland attack down the right this time and Whittaker swings a peach of a ball into a dangerous area. Steven Fletcher is the only man in the box, however, and it is just a yard or so too high for the striker.

Scotland have certainly made the brighter start to this match, controlling possession and imposing themselves on the game early on. Northern Ireland have not been able to settle at all so far.

SAVE! Again McGovern is called into action as a corner swings all the way across the face of goal before being picked up by Ritchie at the back post. He drops a pass back to Anya, who cuts inside before drilling a low one towards the near post. McGovern is down quickly to make a smart stop, however.

The resulting corner is floated out to McArthur on the edge of the area, but he turns down a first-time volley, instead choosing to control the ball before firing his eventual effort a few yards over the crossbar.

Nervy moment from Evans as Forsyth swings a teasing low ball into the box that Evans takes a wild swing at. His attempted clearance loops up inside his own box, but McGovern is then fouled by McArthur to relieve the pressure.

Northern Ireland make their first venture forward, and it is a swift move that gives them a shooting opportunity. Evans fires a raking pass up towards Magennis, who knocks the ball down into the box. Norwood has burst forward to get onto the end of it, but he slices his volleyed effort well over the crossbar.

Better from the visitors in the last few minutes as they begin to see some of the ball inside the Scotland half, allowing them to push further up the pitch. They have been chasing shadows for much of this game so far and just need to a spell of possession to help establish themselves.

SHOT! Anya is looking fairly dangerous for Scotland already and he threatens again here, picking the ball up in midfield and carrying it towards the opposition area. He eventually lets fly from around 20 yards, but doesn't catch his shot right as it bobbles wide of the target.

Scotland have resumed control of the match now, dominating the ball and dictating the tempo of the game at the moment. They have looked capable of breaking through too, so the first goal may not be too far away if things carry on like this.

There is a rather subdued atmosphere inside Hampden Park at the moment, and the game does feel very much like a friendly despite Scotland looking to force the issue.

Poor from Lafferty as he tries a back-heel deep inside his own half to gift possession back to Scotland. The ball is whipped dangerously into the box, but McGovern is out to punch clear.

CHANCE! Another chance for Scotland, and again it falls to Anya! McArthur breaks forward from midfield and ignores a potential through-ball to Steven Fletcher, instead delaying his pass and sliding it in for Anya. The winger's finish is incredibly tame, though, as he puts it wide of the near post when he should have done better.

Shooting opportunity for the visitors as the ball breaks for Grigg inside the area, but his effort is well blocked. Moments later, Baird looks to light this friendly up from distance, but his long-range effort predictably flies a long way over the crossbar.

Promising run from Dallas down the left as he strides forward before clipping a decent cross into the box, but the danger is cleared. Northern Ireland are enjoying their best spell of the match so far right now.

CHANCE! Again Northern Ireland give the ball away cheaply inside their own half and the lively Anya doesn't need a second invitation. He pounces on the loose ball before driving to the byline and pulling it back for Maloney. The Chicago Fire man has time and space, but balloons his first-time effort a long, long way over the crossbar.

SAVE! Again McGovern is forced into a low save as Steven Fletcher this time works space to shoot. He drills a low, hard effort towards the bottom far corner from 20 yards, and it takes a slight touch off McNair on the way through. McGovern still manages to hold on, though.

Just over half an hour gone here at Hampden Park and we're still goalless despite Scotland having a number of good sights of goal. Northern Ireland are yet to really create anything of note and will be happy to get into half time still level.

Grigg almost latches on to a long ball over the top, but his touch lets him down inside the box. It was a difficult piece of control, with the ball arriving over his shoulder, but the ball bounced back onto his chest before rolling through to the keeper.

McGovern is this time forced to come a long way out of his own area to sweep up a clearance from the back that almost turned into a good through-ball for Steven Fletcher. More good goalkeeping from the Northern Ireland man, who took the pressure off his defence.

Still Scotland control the ball, but most of the possession is coming at the back or in front of the Northern Ireland defence. The hosts look like they are running a little low on ideas at the moment.

Northern Ireland's tactics here seem to be to sit back and soak up the pressure before releasing the ball forward quickly when they do win it back. Grigg is becoming increasingly isolated up front and it has been a thankless task for him chasing long balls forward so far.

Almost a glorious chance for the hosts as Forsyth swings a lovely cross behind the defence towards Fletcher, who makes a meal of his finish. However, the flag was up, so it wouldn't have counted anyway.

Good football from Scotland as Maloney, Steven Fletcher and McArthur all combine to almost set up a chance in the middle, but Evans is there to mop up the danger. Forsyth ends the move with a long-range effort, but it is straight at the keeper, who holds on.

CHANCE! Big chance at the end of the half for Scotland as Maloney slides a clever through-ball in for Steven Fletcher. The striker finds himself in on goal, but McGovern is out to thwart him with another good save.

No goals in the first half here at Hampden Park, then, as Scotland and Northern Ireland go into the break still level. It is the hosts who have asked all of the questions so far, but Northern Ireland have had the answers and will be confident of getting something out of this match now.

Scotland have created a number of good shooting opportunities, with arguably the best two falling to Steven Fletcher at either end of the half. After just four minutes, the striker had a good shooting opportunity inside the box when the ball fell kindly for him after his initial effort was blocked. He fired a snapshot towards goal, but McGovern was down quickly to make a very good save.

McGovern was again to the rescue at the end of the half as Maloney slid the ball through for Fletcher, who found himself in the box with only the keeper to beat. It wasn't exactly a sitter for the striker, but he probably should have scored. He was well denied by the keeper, however, as he raced off his line to thwart Fletcher.

Fletcher was denied by McGovern once more in that first half, while Anya squandered a number of chances himself in the opening 45 minutes. The winger drew a smart save from the busy Northern Ireland keeper, while also firing two efforts wide of the near post when he should have done better.

Maloney has also missed a clear chance inside the box when he ballooned a shot over, and poor finishing, coupled with good goalkeeping, is why this match remains goalless at the break. Scotland have dominated in terms of possession and it has been one-way traffic for long spells, but the hosts need to show more of a cutting edge in the final third. It is developing into a decent test for Gordon Strachan's side as they are also expected to enjoy the lion's share of possession against Gibraltar on Sunday.

As for Northern Ireland, they have been tough to break down so far but have offered very little in an attacking sense. They are yet to have a shot on target and, in truth, it has been a disappointing display from Michael O'Neill's men so far. They should be full of confidence given their recent form, but they have barely threatened to get a goal and have been sloppy in possession at times too. Without McGovern in such good form, they could well be two or three down at the break.

The onus is on Scotland to make the breakthrough in this second half, and Strachan may be forced to rely on a substitute to make the difference. International friendlies always see a number of changes throughout the second half, and tonight will be no different. Hopefully it won't disrupt the rhythm of the match too much.

KICKOFF: Northern Ireland get us back underway for the second half, and the first thing to note is that Scotland have made a triple change at the break. Allan McGregor, Steven Naismith and Christophe Berra come on in place of Maloney, Martin and Gordon.

Scotland are straight back onto the front foot in this second half, with Naismith already having had a slight sniff of goal. The Everton man should give them more of a goal threat in the coming 45 minutes as they look for the opener.

CHANCE! Good chance for Scotland early in this second half as Forsyth races on to a pass down the left channel, reaching the byline before clipping a cross in towards the near post. Naismith gets in front of his man and flicks his header goalwards, but it is just a yard or so too high.

It will be interesting to see what approach both managers take with their subs in this second half, particularly in regards to the two debutants. This match is a good one for both McNair and Ritchie as they should both get plenty of action, so both managers may be contemplating keeping them on for the entirety.

There is a lack of quality in the final third for both sides at the moment. Scotland have created enough chances to have put this game to bed already, while Northern Ireland are yet to test either Scotland keeper that has played tonight.

Decent spell of possession for Northern Ireland, but they always end up launching a long ball forward that Grigg can't do anything with. Even if he wins the first ball, there is rarely another blue shirt in close enough attendance to pick up the second ball.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUBS: Double change for the visitors as Grigg and Baird make way to be replaced by Paddy McCourt and Lee Hodson.

The tempo of the match hasn't really been quick enough throughout this match, and it has dropped again in the last few minutes. It is all too slow and predictable from both teams at the moment, who seem to have one eye on Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Northern Ireland are seeing more of the ball now, but neither side have been able to keep hold of it for any substantial length of time. The quality on display from both sides has been pretty poor in this second half so far.

SCOTLAND SUBS: Two more changes for the hosts as James Morrison and Jordan Rhodes are introduced in place of McArthur and Steven Fletcher.

Scotland have still had the lion's share of possession in this match, with 60%, but they aren't doing anything with it right now. They were at least creating chances in the first half, but now they can't get through the visitors at all.

SHOT! We have a shot! Magennis races on to a loose ball inside the Scotland half and is all alone as he looks to get his side's first shot on target of the night. He drags his effort comfortably wide, but couldn't have done much more from that position.

SHOT! Finally someone injects a bit of pace into proceedings as Naismith lays the ball off for Ritchie, who bursts forward from the right. It opens up for a shot from range, but he slices his effort wide from 25 yards.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUBS: Two more changes for the visitors as Ryan McLaughlin and Steven Davis replace Norwood and Reeves.

CHANCES! Anya has been quieter in this second half, but he comes to life here to make his way into the box. His effort is deflected wide of the near post, and from the resulting corner Berra fails to connect properly with an unmarked header. Scotland win another corner moments later and this time Naismith is able to get a good connection on a header, but it is straight at the keeper.

Again Ritchie looks to make a difference as he lets the ball roll across his body from a throw-in before firing another shot from distance towards goal. It is a rather tame effort, however, and McGovern makes perhaps the easiest of his saves tonight.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUB: Another change for Northern Ireland as Magennis is replaced by Billy McKay for the final 15 minutes.

This has been a bit of a nothing second half so far, it must be said. Both teams may be more keen to have a clean bill of health going into the weekend than they are to get the win, but it certainly hasn't been one for the neutral.

SCOTLAND SUB: An attacking change from Strachan as Johnny Russell is introduced in place of Whittaker.

NORTHERN IRELAND SUB: Yet another change, this time for the visitors as Luke McCulloch comes on in place of Evans, who hands the armband to Davis. You'll be glad to hear that that is the last of the permitted changes.

McCulloch almost makes an immediate impact as a free kick swings all the way to the back post, where the latest sub is in space. Anya is alert and gets out to him quickly to block the shot, however.

Northern Ireland keep up a decent spell of pressure in these closing stages, with McCourt floating another cross towards the back post. This time it is McKay waiting for it, but his header is never troubling the Scotland goal.

Wakey, wakey - we have a goal! Scotland break the deadlock five minutes from time as Ritchie picks up a debut assist, swinging the ball into a good area from a corner. Berra rises above Hughes in the area to plant his header into the corner, although questions will be asked of Hodson, who vacated his place on the post. It is a sloppy goal, but we'll take it.

Can Northern Ireland come up with a response in the dying stages here? I'm going to hazard a guess at no. They are yet to have a shot on target tonight and haven't scored any away goal in a friendly since 2006. That run looks destined to stretch to 13 blanks in a row now.

The tempo has picked up a little since that opening goal, but the Scotland fans are finally beginning to shout. A chant of 'You're not singing anymore' rings around the stadium, which I can only assume is sarcastic given that neither set of supporters have had much to sing about all game.

There will be two minutes of stoppage at the end of this match.

Martin Atkinson brings an end to the match and it is Scotland who take the spoils with a 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland. It was by no means a classic, but it is another positive result for Scotland as they continue to be encouraged under Gordon Strachan. It is another clean sheet for the hosts, while the visitors can take some positives from the way they defended for much of the match.

Scotland left it late to get the winning goal, with Christophe Berra planting a header home in the 85th minute. Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern made a number of good stops in the first half to keep his side in it, but he could do nothing to prevent the Ipswich Town defender's effort.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for this international friendly between two of the home nations. Scotland leave with the win, but more important games are to come for both sides on Sunday. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction from both camps. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!