5 THINGS WE LEARNED FROM LAST NIGHT...

1 WHEN the players met up last week, the atmosphere in the Scotland camp was probably still pretty sombre after the late agony of what happened against England in June. But at no point last night did we look like we had a hangover from that disappointment. Scotland began at a great tempo and, for that, Gordon Strachan’s motivational abilities deserve huge credit. 2 THERE was no attempt to coax a performance out of a half-fit Steven Fletcher. Nor was Chris Martin used as a battering ram. After his double against England, there is no doubt now that Leigh Griffiths (right) is the main man for Scotland — and by God do we look all the better for it. Two assists and always a threat. 3 ONE of the main criticisms of Strachan’s Scotland tenure has been a perceived bias towards certain players; that he picks his ‘favourites’ over players in form. But only one man (Andy Robertson) who started in the 1-1 draw with Lithuania at Hampden last October survived in the starting line-up in Vilnius last night. Healthy competition for places? Yes, please. 4 GRANTED, the Lithuanian defence wilted somewhat towards the end, but how much better did Scotland look playing on the front foot and actually having a go? More possession, more shots on goal, more moments that mattered. Our final games are against Malta and Slovakia (both at Hampden) and away against a Slovenia side whom we have already beaten. In a three-game shootout, attack is now our best form of defence. 5 SLOVAKIA scored a late winner against Slovenia, but the door is still open for us. Yes, a draw between the two would have been perfect for Scotland, but the momentum Strachan (below) and his men will take from last night should not be thrown away. There’s no reason why Malta shouldn’t be put to the sword on Monday night.