Listen to the full interview above via the Off The Ball Football Show podcast

Pat Nevin is tipping Ireland and Scotland to battle for the second automatic qualifying spot for Euro 2016.

The Boys in Green and Nevin's native Scotland have been pitched together along with group favourites Germany and Poland, Georgia and minnows Gibraltar.

An excited Pat told us: "There are a few positives for Scotland. They are a much more attack-minded side. Strachan has loads of options. There's a lot of depth now. Gordon Strachan's got players who are buying into what he wants. I don't think it's between Poland, Ireland and Scotland for second. I think it's between Ireland and Scotland. I know the Poles have decent players but [the Dortmund player] are all they seem to have got. It's going to come down to two games."

The Ireland squad also includes Scottish-born players like James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady.

One texter asked Pat what sort of reception they will get when they face the Scottish fans.

"There's a lot of people that are angry with [McCarthy]. There's a very dark and subtle political side to it. But there are a lot of people who admire him for what he's done," said Pat who has strong links and family in Ireland.

"He will get booed. I'm not sure how vitriolic it will be. From certain individuals in the Tartan Army, it will be. I come from [an Irish] background and I had the option between the Republic or Scotland. My Dad strongly favoured that I played for Ireland. My parents would have been Ireland supporters more than Scotland supporters and I'm first generation Scotland. But that didn't make me anti-Irish. There will be some negativity but it will blow over. I don't think it's very deep-rooted"  

Nevin also touched on Chris Hughton's reprieve at Norwich after yesterday's win over Tottenham.  

 

Image: James McCarthy ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne