An own goal and a Steven Naismith header ensured Scotland’s Uefa Nations League campaign got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over Albania at Hampden.
After an opening 45 minutes that suggested a frustrating night at the office for the home side, Naismith put a horror first-half miss behind him with two headers that guaranteed Alex McLeish’s side victory.
The onus was on Scotland to make the game theirs with an uninspiring Albania, who qualified for Euro 2016, falling flat and only progressing forward once they had gone behind.
The three points ties the Scots with Christian Panucci’s men atop Group 1 of League C, ahead of the trip to Haifa to face Israel next month.
McLeish surprisingly axed striker Leigh Griffiths, who barring injury would have been expected to start, with Johnny Russell and Steven Naismith starting up front.
Ex-Aberdeen man Ryan Fraser was left out of the squad altogether and Stuart Armstrong and Craig Gordon were also dropped, with Kilmarnock defender Stephen O’Donnell and Rangers keeper Allan McGregor drafted in.
Unless both Fraser and Griffiths were carrying injuries from the Belgium game, not selecting them already had the makings of a rod for McLeish’s back if Scotland tripped up.
Fraser is a regular in the Premier League with Bournemouth and excelling while Griffiths is Scotland’s best striker. The absence of Armstrong could also be questioned, given he was one of few to emerge with any credit from the Belgium humbling.
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Read the match report from last night's 2-0 win over Albania: https://t.co/qjyaTYiWpm #SCOALB #NothingMattersMore pic.twitter.com/vfjtFgjT4X
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 11, 2018
A strong start was needed to assuage the doubters and in the shape of Callum McGregor’s free-kick, which Thomas Strakosha palmed over, McLeish nearly had the perfect vindication for his selection, given it stemmed from a surging run by Russell.
The intent and energy by Scotland was of the required level. John McGinn would not relent in his pursuit of possession in the middle of the park and John Souttar – a debutant against Belgium – played with an assurity in doing as McLeish wanted: play the ball out from the back.
Several promising forays into the final third went unrewarded and Naismith missed a gilt-edged chance on 24 minutes, nodding against the post from three yards following Charlie Mulgrew’s knock-down. When Kieran Tierney’s delivery fizzed along the six-yard box and went through the Hearts striker’s legs, it had the feeling of one of those nights.
Naismith was the player who seemed to embody all the bad luck, having a further chance disallowed for offside when he turned in McGregor’s shot.
Watch the highlights as Scotland began our UEFA #NationsLeague campaign with a 2-0 victory over Albania at Hampden. pic.twitter.com/2hrtKaxhFt
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 11, 2018
All the play was dictating one outcome – a Scotland goal – bar a hairy moment for McGinn when his no-look pass was picked off by Bekim Balaj. The error went unpunished as Balaj screwed wide.
Bringing on Armstrong for Kevin McDonald at half-time paid dividends immediately, as it was his run into the left channel that created room for Andy Robertson’s cross to the back post. Naismith would not be denied this time as he headed home with the help of a deflection off Berat Xhimshiti.
After 45 minutes largely content with protecting their own goal, Albania finally had to come out.
Balaj came closer to the target than his previous attempt when Emanuele Ndoj fed him, but found an outstretched leg from Allan McGregor in the way.
It was the first save of note the Scotland goalkeeper had to make and Strakosha’s goal was under more threat, as Callum McGregor and Robertson both saw efforts thwarted by white shirts. Balaj remained their only attacking threat and he ought to have done better with Ndoj’s left-wing cross, rather than blazing it high over the top.
Naismith’s luck had clearly turned by the time he added a second on 68 minutes, as Strakosha went walk-about from a McGinn corner and left him an unguarded net to head into from eight yards.
On a night that had all the makings of a frustrating one for the Scots, the sign of Naismith’s evening coming good will hopefully be symbolic for McLeish’s second reign in charge. Impressive evenings for Souttar and O’Donnell, plus a promising cameo from Scott McTominay, bode well for the future.
Line Up
Scotland (3-1-4-2) – A McGregor 7; Souttar 7, Mulgrew 6, Tierney 7, McDonald 5 (Armstrong 46), O’Donnell 7, McGinn 6, C McGregor 7 (McTominay 79), Robertson 7, Naismith 7, Russell 6 (Griffiths 70). Subs not used – Gordon, Archer, Paterson, Forrest, Snodgrass, Jack, Shinnie.
Albania (4-3-3) – Strakosha 5; Hysaj 6, Veseli 6 (Mihaj 90), Xhimshiti 5, Binaku 5, Lilaj 6, Xhaka 6, Ndoj 6 (Manaj 66), Memushaj 5, Balaj 6, Gavazaj 5 (Prenga 46). Subs not used – Berisha, Hoxha, Agolli, Basha, Mavraj, Luka, Kace, Guri, Hyka.
Referee – Matej Jug 5
Attendance –17,455
Man of the match – Stephen O’Donnell.
