SCOTLAND are still in the hunt for a place at the World Cup – just about.
And one of our closest neighbours has just kept their own hopes of reaching the tournament alive in dramatic fashion.
The Republic of Ireland went into their clash with Hungary today knowing that only victory would secure them a place in the World Cup play-offs.
It didn’t seem to be going their way as they were 2-1 down with ten minutes of normal time to go.
But Troy Parrott struck his second of the game in the 80th minute, bringing them level and restoring hope.
And they went on to secure the win they needed, in the most dramatic way possible.
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A ball into the Hungary box was flicked on, and Parrott escaped attention to volley in his hat-trick and cue pandemonium, with the Irish bench flooding onto the pitch to celebrate.
Nobody was celebrating more than the man who had flicked the ball on for Parrott to score – Celtic star Liam Scales.
Scales had also provided an assist for Parrott on Thursday, when Ireland had produced the shock win which kept them in contention for the play-offs.
That was against Portugal, where Parrott’s brace and shock red card for Cristiano Ronaldo had led to a 2-0 victory in Dublin.
And they made it count with another dramatic win today, setting them up for two single-leg play-off matches in March for the right to play in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Scales was joined on the pitch by Celtic teammate Johnny Kenny, who had been subbed on as the Irish chased their late goals.
Former Hoops ace Adam Idah had also been brought off the bench earlier in the game.
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