A match which Scotland manager Criag Brown once described with more passion than objectivity as a meeting of the two best non-qualifiers for the finals of Euro 2000 is in imminent danger of deteriorating into something less at Lansdowne Road this evening.

Sadly, the Republic of Ireland's first game against the Scots since that memorable night at Hampden Park in 1987 when Mark Lawrenson's winner set in train a sequence of great occasions for Irish fans has been devalued by a positive glut of defections from both squads.

Hope springs eternal, but the suspicion is that the frenzied pre-match activity off the pitch, with replacements being summoned from the most unlikely places, will surpass anything we see on it.

Neither Brown nor Mick McCarthy is prepared to subscribe to that view, at least not just yet, but they more than anyone will be disappointed that a vital segment of their World Cup preparations has been to a large extent invalidated.

And yet, for one player in particular it promises to be the first step on a memorable journey. Stephen McPhail's talent was already a source of reassurance for many, even before David O'Leary promoted him to first team status at Leeds United. Now, on the back of some convincing performances at Premiership and European level, he is ready to step up for his biggest assignment so far.

In an ideal world, McCarthy would have preferred to introduce him in a settled team, with players of the quality of Roy Keane or Mark Kinsella to guide him through the early pitfalls in midfield. Neither is now available to perform that important chore but outwardly, at least, the newcomer is not fazed by the challenge.

"It's a chance for me to show that I'm a good player," he said starkly. "Playing for Leeds in important games in the Premiership and again in Europe was something I dreamt about as a kid. Playing my first game for Ireland is another dream realised and I aim to enjoy it."

One of the questions being asked about the newcomer concerns his ability to dredge up another big performance from the fatigue of a punitive season at Elland Road. It's not a fear shared by McCarthy.

"When we first went to America in 1992, some of the lads in the squad had played between 50 and 60 games. But you'd never have guessed it from their performances over there," he said.

"Stephen's played just 34 games this season. I know the game has changed in eight years, but I still don't consider that kind of schedule to be over-taxing. All the players have been through long seasons, but they're still up for the next four games. If they weren't, they wouldn't be in the squad."

McPhail's promotion caps a remarkable success story for a trio of young Dubliners. Since the age of 15, he's come up through the ranks with Robbie Keane and Richard Dunne. Now they form the spine of a team which, for all its immaturity, gives promise of a resilient stand.

There was a predictable start to McCarthy's news conference yesterday when he announced that Rory Delap was out of contention for all the upcoming fixtures because of an ongoing ankle problem.

If Delap doesn't fit the description of a probable first team starter when the World Cup qualifying programme opens in Holland in September, his versatility was regarded as a precious asset in the tour party. To that extent, his loss will be regretted by the manager.

That was perhaps one of the reasons why McCarthy declined to go public with his team plans yesterday, beyond stating that Alan Kelly will play in goal, McPhail in midfield as will, in the absence of Roy Keane, Steve Staunton and Kenny Cunningham. Niall Quinn will captain the team.

One of the more exuberant members of the squad in training was Terry Phelan - and with good reason. Phelan may have needed time to get to know the majority of his new team-mates. Whether that gesture of faith by McCarthy stretches to a place in the starting line-up for the Fulham player this evening is open to question. He hasn't played since the London club beat Huddersfield on May 5th and was actually on a family holiday in Miami when the unexpected summons arrived last Friday.

He is now the only specialist left back in the squad, but given the shortage of his preparation he may be given a few more days to sharpen his game before being asked to undertake the strain of a full 90-minute stint.

The more realistic option may be to shunt Steve Carr to left back and gamble on either Jason McAteer or Steve Finnan on the opposite flank. Both players are also in contention to play alongside McPhail in central midfield.

The other defensive option would be to recall Phil Babb after a long absence to join Gary Breen in central defence and assign Richard Dunne to his club position at right back.

What is not in question is that Mark Kennedy and Kevin Kilbane will fill the wide roles in midfield with Niall Quinn joining Robbie Keane at the front of the team.

Quinn, of course, will again be in search of the elusive goal required to equal Frank Stapleton's Ireland record of 20 and what better occasion to achieve that on the evening he leads the team for only the third occasion.

Brown has also cause to curse the lottery of end of season availability. Among the experienced players he will lack are Colin Hendry, Tommy Boyd and Jackie McNamara and in their absence he will have at least some reservations about the ability of his defence to deal with the threat of Quinn and Keane.

In at least one aspect, however, the game promises to be revealing for him. This is the first occasion on which he will be able to play Paul Lambert and Barry Ferguson in the same midfield formation and the prospect clearly excites him.

Lambert, a player with a proven record in the anchor role in midfield, will give the Scots a sense of authority in that area, but in many respects it is the exciting, emerging talent of Ferguson which offers the greater hope for the start of their World Cup campaign in Latvia.

Ferguson, in full spate, can feed the predatory instincts of Billy Dodds and Kevin Gallacher and in that there is the threat of a troublesome evening for the rebuilt Irish defence.