3 talking points as Scotland banish Ukraine pain

Scotland washed away the Ukraine pain in the Hampden rain to get their Nations League campaign off to a winning start against Armenia.

Steve Clarke’s men showed no signs of a hangover from the defeat in their World Cup play-off semi-final as they got back on the victory trail.

Defensive duo Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna had the hosts a couple of goals up and cruising at the break.

And ????????

Scotland now head across the Irish Sea looking to make it two wins from two in League B Group 1 against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday before the return against Armenia.

Clarke made six changes from the side that started the Ukraine defeat with only Craig Gordon, skipper Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Callum McGregor and Che Adams keeping their places.

Scotland showed no signs of a hangover from last week with a rapid start and Stuart Armstrong and Robertson both went close inside the first 10 minutes with Ralston doing well down the right.

McGinn then a had a long range rocket shot which sailed over the crossbar as they kept the pressure on.

All that was missing was a goal but it arrived just before the half hour mark as their dominance paid off.

Stuart Armstrong hung an excellent cross at the back post for Ralston who sent a brilliant header across goal and into the net.

The lead was doubled and again it was a header from a defender as McKenna towered above the Armenia defence to bullet home from McGinn’s corner.

McKenna thought he had a second on the stroke of half-time but the Nottingham Forest man’s goal was rightly ruled out for offside after a VAR check.

Here’s three talking points from a rain-lashed Hampden Park

Steve Clarke celebrated his third anniversary as Scotland boss with a win to get the