Northern Ireland friendly on cards for Scotland

SCOTLAND could face Northern Ireland in a friendly match next year, it has been revealed.

Scotland faced Northern Ireland at Hampden in a 0-0 draw in 2008. Pictured are Scott Brown and Sammy Clingan. Picture: Ian Rutherford

It is understood that SFA chiefs are working to arrange the friendly as a warm-up match just before their Euro 2016 qualifier with Gibraltar in March.

Despite interest from Wales and several other teams, the Scottish Sun are reporting that Michael O’Neill’s side are in the driving seat to secure the challenge match, which has been pencilled in for Hampden.

The teams last faced off during the Carling Nations Cup tournament held in Dublin four years ago.

Goals from Kris Commons, Kenny Miller and James McArthur secured victory for Craig Levein’s Scotland over Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, and the two associations have strong commercial links thanks to Vauxhall, which sponsors both teams.

Northern Ireland currently sit second in their group, with their next Euro 2016 qualifier coming against Finland on the same night Scotland host Gibraltar.

An deal for the two sides to meet in a March friendly is expected to be struck within weeks.