The stable move of punters heading to the pub lengthy sooner than full-time informed a tale. Scotland’s highway against Euro 2024 will come with considerably better hurdles than that supplied by way of Cyprus, and this stadium has witnessed way more mesmerizing encounters. Tuesday night time, when Spain come calling, will have to ship an absolutely other scene each off and on the pitch. Perhaps avid gamers and supporters alike had been protecting powder dry.
Yet those that succumbed to the entice of the pint neglected Scott McTominay, two times, including gloss to their nation’s victory. Scotland have made this type of dependancy of beginning qualifying campaigns poorly that victory, any victory, will have to be preferred. It is possibly a tacit indication of ways they’ve stepped forward below Steve Clarke {that a} win like this is considered mundane. The presence of just about 50,000 spectators for a gathering with the sector’s A hundred and tenth-ranked staff provides to the sense of an upwardly cellular Scotland setup.
For all that Clarke’s avid gamers worked for lengthy spells there used to be by no means in point of fact any sense {that a} restricted Cyprus facet may just scouse borrow some extent. Angus Gunn, making his Scotland debut in purpose, loved a calm afternoon. Ryan Porteous, profitable simplest his 2nd cap in central defence, used to be similarly at ease.
“It’s a really good start to the group,” mentioned Clarke. “There were some good things and some things we need to get better at. We were really good for 30 minutes then got a little bit sloppy, a little bit casual.” Clarke’s reference to what “looks like a comprehensive win” further suggested he has underlying concerns that have been relayed to his squad.
John McGinn represents a statistical phenomenon in the sense that all 16 of his Scotland goals have come during Clarke’s tenure. McGinn first played for his country in 2016, three years before Clarke was appointed. The Aston Villa midfielder’s latest crucial strike came at the back post after an Andy Robertson cross was deflected into his path.
“We need to be honest with ourselves, we need to improve if we’re going to get to the Euros,” admitted McGinn. The 28-year-old is now Scotland’s seventh-highest scorer of all time. With time on his facet he will have to bounce additional up that chart.
A Ché Adams force that stung the hands of Demitris Demetriou used to be about the one different second of threat supplied by way of the hosts right through the outlet part.
Clarke had no wingers to call upon, meaning a key attacking threat had to be provided by Robertson and his fellow marauding full-back Aaron Hickey. This also renders McGinn’s potency even more useful.
Adams limped from proceedings 13 minutes into the second period, which looked ominous with Spain in mind. “He felt his calf tighten slightly bit,” said Clarke. “It’s a long way too early to make a decision whether or not he may also be in or out on Tuesday.” The Southampton man’s eagerness to run and press means any absence – which despite Clarke’s optimism looks likely – will be keenly felt.
Robertson’s low cross only narrowly evaded Hickey as Scotland, not particularly convincingly, chased a second goal. Lyndon Dykes, who replaced Adams, created it when it finally came. Ryan Christie’s looping cross was expertly controlled by Dykes, who duly nodded the ball down to McTominay and the Manchester United midfielder flicked it high into Demetriou’s net.
Stoppage time provided a second McTominay goal, this time slammed home from close range after a Robertson pass. Christie, who excelled as a substitute, also played a part in the goal with his earlier cross only partially cleared. That McTominay also began the afternoon on the bench implied Clarke is mindful of managing minutes for players who are not automatic starters at their clubs. It would be a shock if McTominay is not restored to the midfield from the outset on Tuesday.
The visitors’ afternoon took a further turn for the worse as Nicholas Ioannou booted the ball away after the award of a free-kick. He was shown a second yellow card for that needless act of petulance. “Scotland gained relatively,” said Temuri Ketsbaia, the Cyprus head coach. “I am very disappointed with my team. We have to learn from our mistakes.
Scotland appeared completely mindful they, too, would want to carry their requirements.