Steven Naismith believes Scotland are “definitely on track” for France 2016 following their 1-1 draw with Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

The home side dominated the first half of a hard-fought European Championship qualifier at the Aviva Stadium and deserved to be ahead at the interval with a Jon Walters’ goal, although there were claims of offside about his close-range strike.

However, seconds after the break, Shaun Maloney, who scored in the 1-0 win for Scotland when the two sides met at Celtic Park in November, levelled with a shot which deflected off Irish skipper John O’Shea to keep the visitors in third place in Group D with four fixtures remaining.

Gordon Strachan’s side stay two points ahead of the Irish but two behind Germany, who thrashed Gibraltar 7-0 in Faro, and three behind pool leaders Poland, who beat Georgia 4-0 in Warsaw.

The next qualification double-header for the Scots is a trip to Georgia on September 4 followed by the visit of the world champions to Hampden Park three days later.

“We are definitely on track,” said Everton forward Naismith. “I have said throughout the campaign that if you win your games at home and take points away from home then you are not going to be far away.

“That (result) comes into that category, especially going 1-0 down as well.”