When you go through the history of Republic of Ireland matches against Scotland, the Boys of Green have had a slight edge.

Of the nine matches between the two sides, the head-to-head record sees us on top with four wins to Scotland's three.

Yet, it is Scotland that go into tonight's Euro 2016 match as slight favourites according to John Giles.

In the doldrums for so long (we have appeared at two major finals since Scotland's last showing at World Cup 1998), the Scots have enjoyed a renaissance of sorts under Gordon Strachan with a similar calibre of player to what Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has at his disposal.

Most of Scotland's players line out for midtable Premier League sides, Championship clubs and a small number in a weakened Scottish Premiership.

Here are five players that O'Neill will need to keep a very close eye on:

Steven Naismith

The Everton midfielder has forged a reputation as a nice guy off the field with his charitable efforts. But the former Rangers man has also proved very effective on the field for club and country.

Roberto Martinez's faith in his abilities at Everton is a reminder of how effective he is.

Versatile, Naismith can play as an advanced midfielder or also up front, providing a goal threat. In the commendable 2 - 2 draw against Poland in Warsaw last month, Naismith scored Scotland's second goal when he ghosted in at the back post to flick in a goal...

He has already netted four goals for Everton this season with a nice variety (one headed, two on his right foot and one from his left peg). 

 

Ikechi Anya

One conclusion I drew from watching the Watford man against Germany in the opening round of qualifiers was the pace the Irish defence would have to be wary of.

That speed was evident in the goal he scored against the Germans in that 2 - 1 defeat when he raced behind the opposition defence before coolly slotting the ball past Manuel Neuer.

If he starts, he is likely to be deployed from the left side which means Seamus Coleman may have to curtail his rampages forward from right back.

 

James Morrison

Remember how Gordon McQueen's comments about Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy were branded hypocritical? That's because James Morrison is one of the examples that can be raised from our point of view.

English-born and having represented the Three Lions up to U20 level, Morrison has been a stalwart for Scotland for over five years and has earned 34 caps.

The West Brom midfielder brings plenty of experience to the engine room and will sit alongside Scott Brown. An accurate passer of the ball, he has average an 88 per cent success rate so far this season for the Baggies with almost 60 per cent of those passes going forwards.

 

Scott Brown ©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Scott Brown

The leader for Scotland, the Celtic midfielder is the captain and heartbeat of the side. Tough-tackling and combative, he also brings plenty of experience honed from playing regularly in the Champions League. 

After Manchester United's Darren Fletcher, he is the joint-second most capped player in Strachan's squad with 40 caps.

 

Steven Fletcher

The Sunderland striker may have a paltry international record with one goal in 17 caps - not helped by a couple of years in the international wilderness under Strachan's predecessor Craig Levein - but that does not mean he is not a threat.

In the Premier League, he is one of the biggest threats around when balls are pumped into the box, which is evident from the number of headed goals he has scored in recent seasons. 

Four of his last seven Premier League goals have come with his head.

He is another of the English-born Scots, with Fletcher choosing to represent his mother's nation internationally.