PAPERING OVER THE CRACKS OR A NEW DAWN?
Steve Clarke’s team needed a win no matter how it arrived, but he couldn’t have dreamed of such an emphatic one. But did it lift the mood of the nation, or simply stop it from darkening further after the shambles against Ireland?
Behind the scoreline, which was aided by the lunacy of Armenia defender Arman Hovhannisyan in getting sent off just before half-time, there were some concerning moments, particularly at the back.
The victory was certainly welcome though, and more than deserved over the piece. But any doubters of Clarke’s suitability for the role aren’t likely to have been won over here.
NO CASE FOR DEFENCE
Speaking of the Scotland backline, it was changed again here in terms of personnel, but not in terms of the set-up, with Scott McTominay back on the right and Jack Hendry on the left of Grant Hanley in a back three.
Just as in the other games in this run though, the Scottish defence was undone time and time again by simple balls over the top, and they were fortunate not to concede more than once in a first half where they barely looked acquainted with one another.
At Armenia’s goal too, Hanley was brushed off the ball far too easily and McTominay failed to read the ball across goal. A source of concern.
STUART ARMSTRONG READY TO EMERGE AS A KEY CONTRIBUTOR?
The Southampton man has been largely used as a substitute for Scotland under Clarke, but he started both matches against Armenia and made telling contributions in both games.
Here, he hauled the Scots level with a composed finish and then put them ahead with a brilliantly taken second, but his all-round play was also impressive and he proved a very tidy link between the Scottish midfield and attack.
He may just be challenging Ryan Christie now for that extra attacking slot in behind Che Adams and alongside John McGinn.
