Scotland 0 Rep of Ireland 2
Brian Kerr got his career as Republic of Ireland manager off to the best possible start with an away win over Scotland tonight.
Kerr had to wait only eight minutes before catching a glimpse of the potential which lies before him.
Ireland won a freekick on the left wing after Scotland's Russell Anderson had brought down Clinton Morrison, and when Steven Reid sent in the cross Kevin Kilbane, unmarked, jumped to head past a static Neil Sullivan in goal.
Sullivan, who has not played for Tottenham all season and came into the match unfit, then blundered for the Republic's second goal only nine minutes later.
A high ball was sent into the Scotland area and the punch-out by Sullivan, who was put under pressure by Reid, fell to Birmingham City forward Clinton Morrison who promptly banged the ball home with a volley.
Morrison won the man of the match award, but it was Kerr who was left the happiest after his first game in charge.
"The players were excellent, there was great application," he told Sky Sports.
"We had two great goals, but they were good all over the park. All round I'm very pleased, although it's just an early step."
Just how well Ireland will do in their upcoming European championship qualifiers remains to be seen but Kerr's ammunition looks promising.
Scotland struggled at both ends of the park and showed glimpses of promise on only rare occasions.
Scotland boss Berti Vogts admitted: "After 20 minutes the game was over. The Irish team was just too strong for us. It's very disappointing for us. We had a better game in the second half but overall we were poor."
Scotland's highlight of the first half, and probably the game, came through Barry Ferguson who despite some very close marking jumped well and connected with an inviting cross from the left on the stroke of half-time only to see his shot go over the bar.
After the interval, replacement 'keeper Paul Gallagher was called into action after eight minutes of play when Ireland defender Stephen Carr stepped inside his marker and unleashed a shot towards goal.
His deceptive effort from 30 yards was not powerful, but its precision forced Gallagher to fly towards his top corner to palm the ball away to safety.
A flurry of passes between second-half substitutes Colin Cameron and Scott Gemmill 10 minutes before time gave Cameron a shot at goal but his effort sailed high and wide.
Paul Devlin, who Vogts had also introduced in the second half, also looked promising on the right wing and at least gave the Irish some work to do with his pacy runs.
Ireland, given their lead, were happy to simply play out the match.