Steven Naismith wheels away as he scores Scotland’s second goal of the night (photo credit: Reuters).
Scotland’s new era begins with win in McLeish’s first competitive game
by Roddy Speirs
On a damp September night in Glasgow, a young Scotland side faced their first competitive match in Alex McLeish’s second stint as the national manager. So far McLeish’s new reign has not had a great start, having played five and won only one. However, of those matches, four have been against sides placed higher in UEFA’s ranking than Scotland, including a four nil lesson handed out by the side currently ranked second in the World, Belgium.
When the Scots met Bulgaria, a side ranked below them in the ratings, they managed their only victory of the under the former Rangers boss, so far.
This is uncharted territory as far as Scotland are concerned, their first game in the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament.
Much has been made of the fact that this is the game that matters. All of Scotland’s recent defeats have been friendlies. Tonight it was up to Alex McLeish to show what he and his players have learned from the previous games.
In his programme notes, the ex-Aston Villa manager highlighted how this competition could provide a safety net for qualification for the Euro 2020 finals. Whilst stressing a desire for his team to qualify in their own right, he acknowledged that this could be a back door for qualification, and so it’s a vital competition for the Scots.
McLeish made changes to the side from the one that started against Belgium. Hearts duo of Steven Naismith and John Souttar both started after having come on and impressed against the 2018 World Cup bronze medallists on Friday. Johnny Russell was also on from the start as was Allan McGregor in goal.
Making way for these players were Craig Gordon, Leigh Griffiths, who took a knock and was substituted in the last game, Ryan Jack and Stuart Armstrong.
The Albanian starting eleven lined up with three changes from the side that took the field in their one-nil victory over Israel. Lining up with a standard four-four-two formation as opposed to the four-two-three-one formation that brought them success last Friday, it suggested that a draw away to Scotland would be an acceptable result. Albanian forward Bekim Balaj who plies his trade in the Russian league for Akhmat Grozny came on at half time against Israel and kept his place, starting tonight at Hampden.
For most of the first half Scotland were the dominant team. Much more aggressive against the Albanians than in their last outing, the Scots knocked the ball around confidently, making runs off the
For most of the first half Scotland were the dominant team. Much more aggressive against the Albanians than in their last outing, the Scots knocked the ball around confidently. However, despite their dominance, they struggled to make their pressure count.
The half chances continued to pile up for Scotland and just after the restart that they took the lead. An Andy Robertson cross deflected in to his own net by the Albanian defender Berat Djimsiti after Naismith headed the ball back across goal early in the second minute of the second half. It was no more than the Scots deserved.
The goal spurred Albania in to action. Not a single shot in the first half until Sabien Lilaj put the ball well over in the 21st minute two decent attempts from the Albanians followed within a couple of minutes of the Scotland goal.
The Albanian renaissance was short-lived as Scotland took control of the match again, and started to build the pressure again. Stevie Naismith got a much-deserved second for Scotland in the 67th minute after the ball ricocheted off a defender in the box following a McGinn corner.
By this point the game was over as a competitive match as Albanian heads went down. They had shown in brief flashes that they could cut Scotland open, a better quality team would have capitalised on some of the mistakes made.
Alex McLeish will be a happy man tonight. He secured his first competitive victory in his second term as manager, his side recorded only their second clean sheet in the recent games that he has been in charge of and he has put behind him the heavy defeat of last week. It could kickstart a new era.
