In a truncated qualifying campaign the immediate Scottish task was not to make the road to the World Cup an even longer one within one double header. Job done on that front, with four points out of six a wholly acceptable return. The visit of Greece to Hampden Park next month is hugely significant.
The stodginess of Scotland’s display before Ché Adams nudged them in front against Belarus ultimately proved irrelevant. Belarus lacked the nous and guile to inflict a bloody nose on Scotland. Still, recent struggles against packed defences meant nobody of Scottish persuasion could rest entirely easy until a 65th-minute own goal was added to the Adams effort. Greek success and a comfortable one in Glasgow in March serves as a warning. Still, the Scots would have readily taken this position and opportunity before a Group C ball was kicked. Back-to-back clean sheets to start the campaign bodes well. This looks like a robust, well-drilled team once again.
“It is a good start but it is only a start,” said the Scotland manager Steve Clarke. “Four points will never qualify anybody for anything. It is nice to go home with smiles on our faces but I am already thinking about next month.”
Scotland’s showing during the scoreless draw in Copenhagen on Friday, coupled with Belarus’s 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Greece, placed the Tartan Army in that historically dangerous position of holding great expectation. Deepest Hungary and a closed doors scenario conjured memories of Covid times, during which Scotland qualified for their first tournament since 1998. The wait for a World Cup appearance, though, stretches back to that very year.
