SCOTT McTOMINAY'S penalty in Piraeus gave Scotland a vital first-leg lead in their Nations League play-off against Greece.
Steve Clarke's side became just the second team to beat the Greeks at home in four years, with England the only other side to do it.
It sets the Scots up for the second leg at Hampden on Sunday as they bid to stay in the top tier of the Nations League.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
SCOTLAND were beginning to motor at the end of their Nations League campaign and this result just continued the progress under Clarke after their Euro 2024 nightmare in Germany last summer.
There were huge signs of improvement against Portugal, Poland and Croatia and it was vital they kept the feelgood factor going here.
This wasn't a vintage display of free-flowing attacking football. But it was a performance of grit, determination, terrific defending - and also calmness under severe pressure.
It would have been easy for Clarke's team to buckle when under the cosh in the second half. But there's a confidence about this Scotland team now to get the job done and that was the case here again.
IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T TRY TO FIX IT
THE big tactical question before kick-off was whether Clarke would change a winning formula and revert to a back five in a bid to get a fit-again Kieran Tierney into his side.
But the Arsenal defender was left disappointed and kicking his heels on the bench as the manager stuck with a back four, which proved to be successful towards the end of our Nations League campaign.
Once Clarke had decided on his favoured formation he had to pick one of two of the UK's best left-backs - and with Andy Robertson as his skipper there was only ever going to be one winner. Tierney did come on in the second half to play his part.
Clarke showed loyalty towards Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean by starting them - and opted not to replace Anthony Ralston, not playing for Celtic, with in-form Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston.
ITALIAN QUARTET ON SONG
WHEN did you ever think a Scotland team would boast four stars of Serie A in their starting line-up? Clarke was able to achieve the feat last night and it's a sign of how far this Scotland squad has come.
It also shows the level of player he now has at his disposal.
Every Tartan Army supporter should have felt proud to see Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and Che Adams in the line-up together, earned for their fantastic form in Italy's top flight this season.
McTominay has excelled at Napoli, as has Gilmour. And the former Manchester United man continued his good work against the Greeks by slotting home the winner from the spot - despite having lasers pointed in his eye from the home crowd.
After returning from serious injury, Fe...
Steve Clarke's side became just the second team to beat the Greeks at home in four years, with England the only other side to do it.
It sets the Scots up for the second leg at Hampden on Sunday as they bid to stay in the top tier of the Nations League.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
SCOTLAND were beginning to motor at the end of their Nations League campaign and this result just continued the progress under Clarke after their Euro 2024 nightmare in Germany last summer.
There were huge signs of improvement against Portugal, Poland and Croatia and it was vital they kept the feelgood factor going here.
This wasn't a vintage display of free-flowing attacking football. But it was a performance of grit, determination, terrific defending - and also calmness under severe pressure.
It would have been easy for Clarke's team to buckle when under the cosh in the second half. But there's a confidence about this Scotland team now to get the job done and that was the case here again.
IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T TRY TO FIX IT
THE big tactical question before kick-off was whether Clarke would change a winning formula and revert to a back five in a bid to get a fit-again Kieran Tierney into his side.
But the Arsenal defender was left disappointed and kicking his heels on the bench as the manager stuck with a back four, which proved to be successful towards the end of our Nations League campaign.
Once Clarke had decided on his favoured formation he had to pick one of two of the UK's best left-backs - and with Andy Robertson as his skipper there was only ever going to be one winner. Tierney did come on in the second half to play his part.
Clarke showed loyalty towards Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean by starting them - and opted not to replace Anthony Ralston, not playing for Celtic, with in-form Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston.
ITALIAN QUARTET ON SONG
WHEN did you ever think a Scotland team would boast four stars of Serie A in their starting line-up? Clarke was able to achieve the feat last night and it's a sign of how far this Scotland squad has come.
It also shows the level of player he now has at his disposal.
Every Tartan Army supporter should have felt proud to see Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and Che Adams in the line-up together, earned for their fantastic form in Italy's top flight this season.
McTominay has excelled at Napoli, as has Gilmour. And the former Manchester United man continued his good work against the Greeks by slotting home the winner from the spot - despite having lasers pointed in his eye from the home crowd.
After returning from serious injury, Fe...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 21, 2025