Preview: Scotland vs. Northern Ireland

International football will return to Hampden Park on Wednesday evening when Scotland play host to fellow Brits Northern Ireland.

The Scots have recently been playing their home encounters at various club grounds, with the Commonwealth Games having taken priority last year.

As far as team selection is concerned, head coach Gordon Strachan will be without striker Ross McCormack, who has been forced to withdraw from the squad with a knee complaint.

In the Irish, they will face a side in good form, with three victories from their first four Euro 2016 qualifying outings.

Manager Michael O'Neill will have to make do without the services of Scotland-born winger Paul Paton, though, who like McCormack has picked up a knee injury.

Sammy Clingan and Shane Ferguson have also pulled out with muscular complaints, which has resulted in a late call-up for Daniel Lafferty.

The Scots have lost just one of the previous nine meetings between the two nations, the latest of which came in 2011 when Kenny Miller was among the goals in a 3-0 win.

Scotland:

Form in friendlies: LDWWDL Form in all competitions: DLWDWL

Possible starting lineup: Gordon; Robertson, Greer, Berra, Hutton; D Fletcher, Brown, Morrison, Russell; Naismith, May

Northern Ireland:

Form in friendlies: DDLDLL Form in all competitions: LLWWWL

Possible starting lineup: Carroll; Hughes, McAuley, Cathcart, McNair; Davis, Brunt, Norwood, McCourt; K Lafferty, Ward

Sports Mole says: 1-0