WIN WITH THE NEW
Clarke’s debut boys have a real night to remember while McGinn puts minnows to the sword as the rotten results finally come to end 1-0 3-0 2-0
TRY telling John McGinn this was a dead rubber against cannonfodder opposition on a night that meant nothing.
Suggest to Lawrence Shankland the game didn’t matter or advise Stuart Findlay his debut goal’s really not worth much.
It might not have been a match that requires a DVD to be released by the SFA but the footage will be relived in the homes of those boys until the day they are gone.
Of course, it was a game Scotland should have won and not a lot rode on it going forward.
Victory over a nation ranked bottom of the FIFA rankings who haven’t scored a goal in two years or won a game in 15 was an exercise in ticking a box and giving Steve Clarke a second win at the helm.
Everyone knows next month is where it counts for the boss in terms of momentum ahead of the play-offs. Cyprus are ahead of Scotland in the section. Victory in their backyard is essential if belief is to be restored.
Similarly, given Alex McLeish’s loss in Kazakhstan was viewed by some as a stand-alone sacking offence, Clarke simply can’t afford not to beat them at Hampden.
At least here at a drenched National Stadium a job was done.
McGinn became the first player to score a first-half hat-trick for Scotland since Lawrie Reilly against USA in 1952 as the Aston Villa man ran riot.
Shankland capped a first start for his country with a goal and Findlay, on his full debut, was also on the scoresheet. All moments to remember and sub Stuart Armstrong created one of his own with a special free-kick near the finish to complete the scoring.
After 20,699 brave souls came out to back the team in a period of low morale, they got a deserved reward.
It was the type of performance which the circumstances demanded Scotland produce and, fair play to them, they delivered.
On a dreadful night, Clarke’s team had to come out guns blazing. Toiling was not an option and the troops responded by doing what Scotland should be doing to San Marino.
Aware of situation and opposition, they set about it in the right manner. Quick passing, fast tempo and, as you would have expected, opportunities coming as thick and fast as the rain was falling.
It was a deluge overhead and a torrent towards the San Marino goal. By half-time it was 3-0, all goals bagged by McGinn.
Scott McTominay could have had his own hat-trick. A header from an Andy Robertson cross was wide and he had a couple of potshots.
Shankland was also on the prowl and thought he’d scored when James Forrest’s driven cross was diverted expertly towards the target by the hitman, only for the striker’s effort to be brilliantly saved by Aldo Simoncini.
Shankland also hit the side-netting but his time would come later.
Clarke’s back line of Findlay and Mikey Devlin were basically bystanders. Jon McLaughlin, named in a pre-planned switch for David Marshall in goal, had just one job to do in that opening period and the
Aberdeen defender could have bagged a goal at the other end with header which drifted wide.
At that point, though, McGinn wasn’t wasting any chances.
His first came when the excellent Christie was picked out in space on the right flank and stepped inside to arch a ball towards the far corner.
McGinn had made a typical late run into the penalty area and jabbed out a toe to get a slight touch as the ball found the net.
Christie had to ask McGinn if he’d got anything on the delivery. You wouldn’t have expected the Aston Villa to say anything other than yes.
There was no debate about his second. McTominay wriggled into space and fired the ball across the six-yard box.
Simoncini’s weak parry of the cross was straight into the path of McGinn, who gratefully netted. Given the amount of work the keeper was having to do, he could be forgiven the error.
The treble was clinched in stoppage time when Christie’s corner was headed into the danger area by Findlay and McGinn swivelled to crack the bouncing ball beyond Simoncini.
At that stage, given the way things have gone for Clarke recently, you wondered if the incessant rain would lead to a postponement.
Water was gathering on the surface, with the ball sticking in puddles from the moment the game restarted, and it was a real worry. Yet by full-time, there were more magical moments for new boys to treasure.
Shankland got his name on the scoresheet and if he scores another 50 for his country, he’ll never get an easier one. McTominay’s long-range strike came back off the crossbar and gave him a tap-in.
Findlay got his own memorable moment on his full debut moments later as the Killie defender powered a header into the net from Christie’s corner. His celebration told you exactly what it meant to him.
The evening, however, was summed up by the sixth goal.
Thinking a free-kick had been awarded, keeper Simoncini picked the ball up just outside the box, only to realise referee Jerome Brisard hadn’t blown. The free-kick was then awarded against Simoncini. .
Sub Armstrong whipped a stunning 22-yard set-piece into the net.
That summed it up. It was farcical at times but it was also to be cherished and savoured at others.