Scotland continued their quest to reach next summer’s World Cup with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Belarus at Hampden.
Steve Clarke’s men will be delighted to take full spoils in the encounter with the lowest-ranked team in Group C, but were made to sweat by their plucky visitors, who put up a good fight three days on from being thrashed 6-0 by Denmark.
Scotland took the lead on 16 minutes when Che Adams fired home after an excellent pass from Jack Hendry. However, Scotland failed to kick on and had to wait until deep into the second half for Scott McTominay to give them breathing space with a neat finish.
Belarus had a goal disallowed at 1-0 but did get themselves a goal in stoppage time from Gleb Kuchko, but it turned out just to be a consolation.
It means Scotland are very well placed for a top-two finish ahead of their final matches against Greece away and Denmark at home next month.
Here are the ratings out of ten for each player involved.
9. Scott McTominay
Scotland's poster boy had a quiet first half, even though he was permitted to push forward more than he was allowed against Greece. The Napoli midfielder was much more involved in the second period. Stung the palms of Lapoukhov on 50 minutes and then fired home the clinching goal with a sweeping left-footed strike on 84 minutes. He was also crucially fouled in the build-up to Belarus' disallowed goal, which at the time would have made it 1-1. 7 | SNS Group
10. Ben Gannon-Doak
The tricky winger was asked to play on the right flank this time around. Saw plenty of the ball and had some surging runs that put Belarus under real pressure. The teenager still needs to work on his end product - but that will come in time. His one really good cross was converted by Adams - with his hand. Still Scotland's most exciting yet unpredictable player. 6 | SNS Group
11. Che Adams
Scored his 11th goal for Scotland with an excellent piece of control and then a nice finish. Could well have had a second if he had timed his run better to net a cross from Gannon-Doak that was disallowed for offside and a handball. Perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when another handball stopped him being fouled by Martynovich. Led the line well and can be pleased with his night's work. 7 | SNS Group
12. John Souttar
Came on for Hendry and made two important blocks to stop shots on target, but ultimately was part of a backline that conceded. 4 | SNS Group