Snap shot: Ireland v Scotland in 1986

Few gave the Republic of Ireland much hope of breaking their major final tournament duck after being drawn with Scotland, Bulgaria and a Belgium team who had reached the 1986 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. Jack Charlton's side held the Belgians, though, and then Scotland – as captured here – to set the foundations for a historic campaign which was sealed when Scotland's Gary Mackay earned a late win in Bulgaria that favoured Ireland in November 1987.

1. Paul McGrath 
It is nearly two decades since his last game for Aston Villa FC, but the refrain of 'Paul McGrath, my Lord' is still heard in those parts. A late developer – McGrath was 25 before his first cap arrived in 1985 – the centre-back made 83 appearances for Ireland and despite being unable to train because of his knees for many years, he was 38 before he retired. His problems with alcohol addiction are well documented, laid bare by an award-winning autobiography. Now back in Ireland, McGrath is a columnist and radio pundit, and also released an album in 2011.

2. Paul McStay 
The 'Maestro' was a one-man club man who made 515 outings for Celtic FC between 1982 and 1997. He captained Scotland at all age levels, picking up 76 senior caps and scoring nine goals, including matches at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. Unfortunate to be at Celtic during one of the leaner periods in their history, McStay landed three league titles, four Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup. After retiring he has had a successful career in web design and marketing and now lives in Sydney, Australia.

3. Liam Brady 
One of the finest midfielders of his generation, Brady came to prominence at Arsenal FC and confirmed his world-class status with a move to Juventus in 1980. The Dubliner lifted back-to-back Scudettos and ended up at West Ham United FC in 1987. Injury denied Brady a place at EURO '88. Brady had spells as manager of Celtic and Brighton & Hove Albion FC before finding his place as academy director at Arsenal from 1996 to 2014. He was also on Giovanni Trapattoni's back-room staff with Ireland and is now an analyst on television and radio.

4. Mo Johnston 
Maurice Johnston helped Watford FC to the 1984 FA Cup final and had stints in France and the United States. But the striker is best known as only the second man since 1945 to represent both Celtic and Rangers FC. Boyhood heroes Celtic came first, where 72 goals in 128 games yielded a Scottish Cup and league championship. He had two seasons with FC Nantes before a controversial return to Scotland with Rangers, where he added two more league winners' medals. Johnston notched 14 goals in 38 appearances for Scotland. Since retiring he has worked as both manager and football director in North America, where he still lives.

5. Kevin Moran 
Moran achieved fame and success as a Gaelic footballer before switching to soccer with a transfer to Manchester United FC in 1978. He had a decade at Old Trafford, and though the centre-back became the first player to be sent off in an FA Cup final in 1985 he finished up with a second winners' medal. An ever-present for Ireland at EURO '88 and the 1990 World Cup, he ended his career in 1994 with 71 caps. Moran is now a players' agent and has a long-running column with Dublin's Sunday World newspaper.

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