Kerr era begins brightly

Scotland 0-2 Republic of Ireland
Kevin Kilbane and Clinton Morrison scored the goals to give Brian Kerr a terrific start to his new tenure as Republic of Ireland manager.

Kilbane leads the way
Sunderland AFC's Kilbane put Ireland on the road to victory with a glancing header from Steven Reid's cross after just eight minutes. Ireland, who currently lie fourth in UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 10, went 2-0 to the good eight minutes later when Birmingham City FC striker Morrison capitalised on an error by Scotland goalkeeper Neil Sullivan to volley the second from 16 metres out.

Holland strong
Rangers FC captain Barry Ferguson went close to pulling a goal back for Berti Vogts' side moments before half-time, but Matt Holland's block denied him. Morrison went close just after the break and Stephen Carr tested Sullivan with a stinging effort from distance as Ireland kept up the momentum and the Tottenham Hotspur FC keeper went some way to making up for his earlier poor clearance with a fine fingertip save.

Food for thought
Scotland's seventh defeat in ten games has given food for thought to Vogts ahead of their next Group 5 fixture at home to Iceland on 29 March - but Kerr left Hampden Park a happy man as he looks to get Ireland's campaign back on track in Georgia on the same day.