Scotland came away with a priceless victory from Celtic park tonight as they beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 with a magical strike by Shaun Maloney.
Strachan made three alterations to the side that drew 2-2 in Poland with Andrew Robertson, Grant Hanley and Charlie Mulgrew stepping in to replace the absent James Morrison and Alan Hutton, while Gordon Greer dropped to the bench.
Ireland went into this match on the back of a storming start on the road to qualification thanks to an enviable 1-1 draw in Germany which had put them joint top of Group D alongside Poland.
Midfielder James McCarthy had withdrawn because of a hamstring injury but Ireland’s other Scottish-born player Aiden McGeady started the match at the ground of his former side Celtic, although there was no place in the starting XI for Robbie Keane.
It was the first time in 13 years that the former Spurs forward had not started a competitive Irish international when fit for selection.
Celtic’s Irish roots had led to calls in some quarters that Ibrox would have been a more suitable venue for the match but Gordon Strachan had declared the stadium as ‘Scotland Park’ for the evening, although more than a few Irish supporters had managed to make their way into the home sections.
Despite the game being a sell-out, there were large sections of empty seats at kick-off due to traffic problems on the roads to Glasgow.
And those who were late arriving to the ground almost missed Scotland making the perfect start when the unmarked Steven Fletcher met Shaun Maloney’s out-swinging corner but the Sunderland forward’s effort was too high.
However the Scots had an early let-off of their own when Grant Hanley was fortunate to only see yellow for a late challenge that prevented Shane Long racing through on goal.
Hanley’s good fortune continued in the 27th minute when he avoided a second caution for a clumsy-looking challenge on Irish goalkeeper David Forde as the game continued at a frantic pace with neither side shirking a tackle.
It was a scrappy stuff but Scotland were edging it on points and almost broke the deadlock when Mulgrew headed just wide from a Maloney cross.
Whittaker’s low drive was well held by Forde and Fletcher should have converted from another Maloney cut-back as a feisty first half ended all square.
McGeady, who was jeered throughout by the Scotland support, created the first opportunity of the second half when he jinked away from Andy Robertson and sent a tantalising delivery into the danger area but Jon Walters’ header was deflected over.
The hosts were forced into an early change when Fletcher limped off and was replaced by Derby County forward Chris Martin.
Marshall was becoming the busier of the two goalkeepers and the Cardiff City custodian was called upon to claw away a curling effort from McGeady.
Scotland were struggling to penetrate a well-organised Irish defence, although Martin was afforded a sight of goal when he steered the ball wide from a Steven Naismith centre.
Irish assistant Roy Keane was spoken to by referee Milorad Mazic before Scotland almost took the lead when Walters headed a Mulgrew free kick off his own crossbar.
But the deadlock was broken from the resulting set-piece.
Maloney linked up superbly with Brown before curling the ball into the far corner beyond the despairing Forde to the delight of the majority inside Parkhead.
This prompted Ireland to introduce Robbie Keane as they searched for a way back into the match.
Hanley headed the ball onto his own crossbar in the dying stages but Scotland held firm for a vital three points .