Team News: Shane Long preferred to Robbie Keane for Republic of Ireland against Scotland

Robbie Keane has been dropped for a competitive international for the first time since 2001 for Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualifier with Scotland tonight.

Ireland's all-time leading goalscorer makes way for Shane Long in one of five changes made by Martin O'Neill from the XI that drew 1-1 in Germany last month.

Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson miss out with injury, while Everton midfielder James McCarthy has also failed in his fitness bid, but his Goodison Park teammate Seamus Coleman is a welcome return at right-back.

Derby County pair Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick come in, and Darron Gibson is also included in a new-look central midfield partnership. Hull City duo Stephen Quinn and David Meyler are only on the bench.

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan, along with O'Neill, is returning to Celtic Park and is without a couple of key midfielders, with James McArthur injured and James Morrison complaining of illness.

Celtic midfielder Charlie Mulgrew is brought into the centre of the park on his home patch, while Grant Hanley and Andrew Robertson return in defence at the expense of Gordon Greer and Alan Hutton.

Ireland are second in Group D with seven points from three games, with Scotland three points back.

Scotland: Marshall; Whittaker, R. Martin, Hanley, Robertson; Maloney, Mulgrew, Brown, Anya; Naismith; S. Fletcher

ROI: Forde; Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward; McGeady, Hendrick, Gibson, McClean; Long, Walters

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