Scotland start with victory

Steve Clarke’s men followed England and Northern Ireland by starting Euro 2024 qualifying with a win.

Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn made his Scotland debut in Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus after beating off competition from Hearts’ Zander Clark and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly to start the Hampden encounter.

Recent Watford recruit Ryan Porteous, who broke into the team in the autumn, continued on the right of a three-man defence alongside Grant Hanley and Kieran Tierney.

Rangers’ Ryan Jack started in midfield alongside Celtic’s Callum McGregor, while Stuart Armstrong got the nod over Ryan Christie to play in support of his Southampton team-mate Che Adams in attack.

QPR striker Lyndon Dykes, who recently returned after a pneumonia scare, started on the bench.

Scotland took the lead in the 21st minute when John McGinn tapped into an open goal from close range after Andy Robertson’s cross from the left took a nick off Cyprus defender Alex Gogic. VAR checked for an offside in the build-up but the goal was allowed to stand.

Steve Clarke’s side had the bulk of the possession and pressure but the only other chances of note fell to Aaron Hickey and Che Adams, who were both denied by Cypriot keeper Demetris Demetriou either side of the goal.

Debutant goalkeeper Angus Gunn had little of note to do in his first 45 minutes for Scotland.

Scotland doubled their lead in the 87th minute when substitute Scott McTominay took an impressive touch and fired high into the net after Dykes had headed Christie’s cross into his path.

McTominay scored his second of the match from inside the box in added time.

The Cypriots were then reduced to 10 men when Nicholas Ioannou was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, as the hosts won 3-0.

Published: 25/03/2023 by Radio NewsHub