SCOTLAND’S chances of pipping the Republic of Ireland to a Euro 2016 play-off place have been bolstered by news that Germany intend to go all-out for victory against the Irish on Thursday night. A point in Dublin would be enough for Joachim Loew’s side to progress to next summer’s Finals in France but would also mean Scotland having to win their last two games against Poland and Gibraltar to have any chance of finishing ahead of the Irish in third place.

The Germans, however, have revealed they have no intention of settling for a draw and want to add to their 3-2 victory over Scotland last month by also putting the Irish to the sword away from home. And that will come as good news to Gordon Strachan and his players as they look to keep alive their slim chances of qualification.

“We haven’t spoken a lot about tactics as I’ve only just seen the manager this morning,” said Ilkay Gundogan, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder who scored German’s third goal at Hampden. “But we definitely won’t play just for a point. With our quality we should be winning this game.

“It should be a great atmosphere. In Britain or Ireland there are always great games. We won in Scotland and it should be our aim to also win in Dublin.”