STRACHAN’S A BERRA OF GOOD NEWS

CHRISTOPHE BERRA’S early goal settled

Scotland nerves and kept the Tartan Army’s World Cup dream on track.

Three points for Gordon Strachan’s side, coupled with England’s win over Slovakia at Wembley, means a crackerjack thriller against the

Slovaks at Hampden next month when the Scots can go second in Group F.

They started where they left off in Lithuania last week – crisp passing and plenty of attacking intent, with Leigh Griffiths and

Andy Robertson going close.

And it was from a Griffiths corner in the ninth minute that Berra rose at the back post to power home a header for the quickfire lead manager Strachan fervently desired.

Four minutes later, Stuart Armstrong burst into the box only to rifle his shot into the side netting when a second goal looked certain.

Scotland were buzzing and creating chances on every break with Griffiths, in particular, finding plenty of space to cut in from the left and take aim more than once from outside the box.

They were pinned back for a spell when Malta grew in confidence, enough to raise the alarm on a couple of occasions.

Berra rose once more at the back stick looking for his second goal from a Griffiths corner, only to see his header slide just past a post. Just before the interval Matt Phillips pulled the trigger from 30 yards with a curling effort that Andrew Hogg did well to push to safety.

James Morrison replaced James Mcarthur for the second half – and four minutes later it was effectively game over.

Armstrong surged forward and fed

Robertson on the left.

The new Liverpool defender whipped the ball across the area for Morrison to strike first time against a post – and Griffiths buried the rebound for his third goal in three games.

James Forrest almost added a third following a run from Phillips before Forrest’s shot from 20 yards was saved by Hogg.

Armstrong was full of running to the end and another surge ended with Hogg saving his 25-yarder.

Strachan will demand more of the same next month against Slovakia on a night that will stir the blood – and the memories of World Cups past.

ON A HIGH Christophe Berra leaps to score for Scotland