Blues striker Daryl Murphy came on as a 66th minute sub to win his 11th full cap as the Republic of Ireland lost 2-1 to Turkey in a friendly in Dublin.

Murphy had a chance to grab an equaliser seven minutes from time but his header from James McClean’s cross was too close to the keeper.

Earlier, ex-Blue Jon Walters had pulled a goal back for Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s side, which also included former Town defender Damien Delaney, while Paul Green was an unused sub.

Ireland next face Italy at Craven Cottage next Saturday, then Costa Rica in Philadelphia on June 6th and Portugal in New Jersey on June 10th.

Meanwhile, Blues centre-half Christophe Berra believes the mood is good in the Scotland camp ahead of their friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.

“The mindset is great just now and so many good results in friendlies has helped,” he said.

“But in the end it’ll all come down to the qualifiers. There’s no point in performing like we have in all these friendlies then not doing it in the games that actually matter.

“We need to carry our confidence into a game where there are three points at stake. Then we can say to ourselves that we’ve improved and that we’re entitled to our optimism. And the boys would love to give the manager a flyer.”

Elsewhere, former Town striker Jason Scotland scored one, created one and netted a shoot-out spotkick as Hamilton Academical won a place in the Scottish Premiership at the expense of Terry Butcher’s Hibernian, who drop into the Championship.

The Accies were 2-0 down from their home leg of the play-off, but fought back in the second leg at Easter Road with Scotland the star performer and ultimately won 4-3 on penalties.

The Hibs side included former Blues striker Danny Haynes, who was forced off injured in the eighth minute, and Town's 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning captain Liam Craig.

Photo: Action Images

ipswichjon added 22:27 - May 25 i wonder how Jon Walters feels playing for Keane again after their falling out over his transfer to Stoke?
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DiamondGezzer added 06:27 - May 26 Well done Jason Scotland, shame it was at the expence of Terry Butcher.
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bohslegend added 13:25 - May 26 I was at the game in the Aviva yesterday. I was disappointed Murph didnt get more of a run, 24 mins in a meaningless friendly is not much especially when Shane Long showed what a lazy git he can be for the first 66 mins. I was really hoping Murph would take the opportunity with both hands but tbh he looked nervous and a little unsure. Seemed to want too much time on the ball and a couple of short passes went loose. As an ITFC fan it pains me to say it but Wes Hoolahan had a good game, won MOTM, and troubled the Turkish defence all the way through from an attacking midfield role.

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jas0999 added 21:15 - May 26 Saw the second half on TV. Thought Murphy was disappointing. Has very little goal threat. However, hard working performances this season meant he deserved his chance.
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raycrawfordswig added 01:16 - May 27 Shock horror a Roy Keane side losing at home. Keane out
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