Patterson asking for more as Scots clinch a play-off
NATHAN Patterson urged Scotland to take advantage of their World Cup chance after a high five sealed a play-off in March.
The Tartan Army made it five wins in a row – their best run in competitive games for 26 years – to secure second spot in Group F.
Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour again ran the show to set up a semi-final and final next year in pursuit of one of three qualifying spots against 11 other nations.
Patterson broke the deadlock with his first Scotland goal.
He said: “I am buzzing.We said if we got an early goal we would settle then kill them off with a second.
“Hopefully we can get the results we need to get to Qatar.”
Scotland boss Steve Clarke said: “The team has developed well.We were aggressive going forward, lots of shots but only two goals. But we are pleased to finish second in the group..
“To win five in a row is difficult at any level.”
Scotland went ahead when John McGinn laid the ball off to
Patterson, who drilled home from 12 yards.
Patterson, at 20 and 27 days, is the youngest Scottish scorer since Darren Fletcher 18 years ago and the first Rangers player to score for Scotland for a decade.
Another touch of genius from Aston Villa’s McGinn created the second as he nutmegged his marker with a backheel and sent Patterson on the overlap.
The youngster crossed for Che Adams to smash home.
Patterson dented his performance with a daft handball to concede a penalty, but keeper Craig Gordon savedVadim Rata’s kick brilliantly.
A win against Denmark on Monday should seal a home game in the semi-final.
MOLDOVA (3-5-2): Namasco 6, Jardan 6, Posmac 6, Bolohan 6 (Rozgoniuc 62, 6); Revenco 6, Rata 5, Dros 5 (Bogaciuc 61,6), Ionita 7, Marandici 6 (Iosipoi 71); Nicolaescu 5 (Puntus 71), Ginsari 4 (Cojocaru 61,5).
SCOTLAND (3-4-3): Gordon 7, Hendry 7, Cooper 7, Tierney 7; Patterson 8, Gilmour 8 (McLean 85), McGregor 7, Robertson 7; McGinn 9 (Turnbull 90), Adams 7 (Brown 85), S Armstrong 7 (Nisbet 76). Goals: Patterson 38, Adams 65.