SCOTLAND V REPUBLIC OF IRELAND/Analysis:  If Brian Kerr had a dream before the match last night, it can't have come up with a better start than that, he really couldn't have asked for more. Ireland are one of the few countries who "do" friendlies, who can really get up for them; most other countries don't, writes Mark Lawrenson

This time, though, the players really rose to the occasion, namely Kerr's debut, looked hungry, looked good, looked an accomplished team.

The only problem about even mentioning Scotland in all of this is that it takes something away from the Irish performance - but I have to say, it is by a long, long way the worst Scotland team I've ever seen.

Also, do they not grow them above 5ft 9ins up there? A team of midgets. Unbelievable.

It was a very nice start, though. There was a good balance to the team, everyone did their bit - from the first minute they were in complete control, in charge, every one aware of their role in the team.

You really wouldn't get a more comfortable night. They just kept Scotland at arm's length, right from the start.

It was great to see John O'Shea and Stephen Carr in the back four. O'Shea will be a big, big star, we know that, there's no doubt about it. He played against Scotland in his slippers, in his armchair, it was so easy for him.

The thing about Carr is that he gives you so many options, up and down the right side all night, an absolute nightmare to play against - loves running past people, and he's a full back. So that's been a big plus. He was involved in one of the night's highlights when denied a goal after unleashing a shot which looked destined for the top left-hand corner of the net, but somehow the Scotland keeper tipped it over.

I thought Stephen Reid did very well too, and even Gary Doherty up front - he held the ball up well. Scotland just didn't have anyone to do that.

He's a decent option for Kerr to have, especially when we get the ball out wide and get good crosses into the box.

Yes, maybe an eyebrow or two was raised at, say, Gary Breen being picked, especially considering his current problems at West Ham, but it just underlines the fact that we don't have many players to pick from.

In some ways that's a good thing for Kerr - if he picked our strongest 11 about 85, 90 per cent of people would pick the same team, but of course if you have injuries you're struggling.

Consider who were missing last night - Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Mark Kennedy, Kenny Cunningham, Gary Kelly, Rory Delap - and look how easy it was for us.

Scotland really weren't missing any one of note, yet it was still so easy. Always in control, we looked a class apart.

It was just a relief, too, to get on with the football after the events of this week. The majority of the players Kerr chose last night were at the World Cup as well so they'll be saying because Roy Keane wasn't at the World Cup anyway it's business as usual. So from that point of view it was perfect. Time to get on with it.

Overall, then, a very, very good performance. A good start, gives everyone a nice boost, a little bit of confidence.

Brian Kerr will be delighted with the result, delighted with the performance and delighted, too, that the first one is over. It's been a nice comfortable easing into the job, no more than he could have wished for. Regardless of the quality, Scotland were trying. Very trying, at times.

And nice of the commentator to remind us all that I scored the last time Ireland played at Hampden. All it did was remind me of how old I am.

In an interview with Mary Hannigan