Steve Clarke's Scotland changes worked so the healing process can begin after Armenia - Keith Jackson's big match verdict

Armenia. In the Nations League. At a heartbroken Hampden. Only one week after the agony of missing out on a place at the World Cup. In the pouring rain.

If ever there was a stab-a-fork-in-my-eye moment for Steve Clarke and his players then this was surely it.

Three years to the day that it all began for the manager with a slender, unspectacular 2-1 win against Cyprus.

In retrospect, at least that sun was shining that night.

Here we were nonetheless, in the gloom of a Scottish summer, watching a game that felt more like a monumental test of patience than the start of a new beginning.

But that’s only because this game was already over by half-time, on the back of a spirited and reasonably upbeat display from a team which has every right to be out on its feet by now.

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First-half headers from Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna had put Clarke back in his happy place, after the angst of Ukraine, as Scotland’s recovery got off to a satisfactory start.

It could and should have been more, of course, against an Armenian side which is some way short of being mediocre.

Even so, it’s not often Clarke has seen his side win a match here with so much to spare.

The boss had hinted that changes might be kept to a