Second-half goals from Ryan Christie and Che Adams earned a wasteful Scotland a 2-0 victory against Gibraltar in their penultimate Euro 2024 warm-up match.
After a seven-game winless run, Steve Clarke was determined to secure a victory to boost confidence ahead of their tournament opener against hosts Germany in just 11 days.
They started brightly and dominated against the side ranked 203rd in the world, but lacked cutting edge.
Christie spared the Scots’ blushes when he fired in from Andy Robertson’s cross with Adams adding a second late on to earn their first friendly win since 2021.
After losing striker Lyndon Dykes in training, Clarke wanted to avoid any further injuries but faces a nervous wait after Liam Cooper was forced off with a knee injury.
Scotland claim confidence-boosting win
Scotland unsurprisingly dominated from kick-off against a team who had conceded 48 goals since they last scored back in November 2022, but they were wasteful.
The first real chance fell to Christie as he looked to head home from John McGinn’s cross, but he sent it wide.
It was the same duo threatening just a minute later as Christie this time forced a save from Jaylan Hankins.
The visitors then passed up two brilliant opportunities as Grant Hanley headed over from six-yards and James Forrest knocked Robertson’s ball wide.
Shankland then fired wide before Christie had another brilliant chance to open the scoring but, again, couldn’t direct his effort on target.
After a much-needed water break, Forrest blasted a shot over from 30 yards before Kenny McLean failed to hit the target, heading wide.
Scotland looked certain to break the deadlock as Robertson whipped in a corner before half-time, but Hanley’s header was saved with Ryan Porteous unable to scramble in the rebound.
Ryan Porteous was among the players to go close in the first half
There was another huge miss before the break as McCrorie got a touch on Shankland’s cross, distracting Hanley who then put the ball wide.
Gibraltar managed just one shot on target in the first half, which was comfortably saved by Zander Clark.
Scotland started the second half with the same intent as Cooper was next to head over just minutes after coming on.
Another chance fell to the substitute as he sent a header towards goal, only to be denied by Gibraltar’s debut goalkeeper.
After 22 wasted shots, Christie spared Scotland’s blushes as he fired into the top corner from Robertson’s cross to break the deadlock.
Liam Cooper suffered a knee injury against Gibraltar
Scotland’s injury woes continued as Cooper was forced off with a knee injury, just days after they lost striker Dykes after an injury in training.
Adams, off the bench to replace Forrest, made the scoreline more comfortable in the 85th minute as he lashed the ball home.
Clarke: Fingers crossed for Cooper
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke
Scotland manager Steve Clarke to Premier Sports on Liam Cooper’s injury:
“Initial thoughts are it’s just a knee-to-knee bang, so fingers crossed on this one.
“The amount of chances in the game, we did enough to score goals. We could tighten up on the chances we did create. But we came here, got two goals and got a clean sheet, nice and positive.
“One of the reasons I sat upstairs was to see things from a different perspective. When you’re on the touchline, you don’t see everything. I have a better idea [of what my squad will look like] now.
“I changed to a back four, we normally do a back three or five. You’re playing against a deep block, the look upstairs was not for the games in Germany. But, hopefully, I’m the coach after Germany so it was a thought for that.
“There will be more rotation for Finland. More minutes if we need to do that.”
Christie: Patience was key
Ryan Christie opened the scoring for Scotland on a “sticky pitch”
Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie told Premier Sports:
“We had to stay patient a little bit. We had chances in the first half to go one up. The longer it goes it gets kind of touchy. But I get my goal and Che gets a cracker.
“It was a pretty sticky pitch, people don’t know what a leveller that is. We need to get pace in our play but the boys did well.
“After the March camp we were desperate to get a win on the board as well. We probably had more chances to go three, four or five. But we’re looking to Finland now.
“It just feels right around the corner now. The buzz and atmosphere around the country, you can feel it building now. A win obviously helps and so would a win against Finland.”
McCrorie proud after Scotland debut
Ross McCrorie earned his first Scotland cap against Gibraltar
Scotland defender Ross McCrorie to Premier Sports:
“Very proud moment for me and my family. I had to be patient but I’m really happy tonight. The result to top it off was great.
“I’ve been with Scotland a few times. This is my debut so I know all the boys, I’ve played against them and payed with them. To get my full cap for the national team was a proud moment for me and my family since I’ve come in.
“The gaffer has said to me, just play my normal game and do what I’ve been doing at Bristol. I’ve got confidence going into the next game for Finland.
“It’s a really unfortunate lot of injuries. Me and Tony [Ralston] have come in, but different people can play in the formation and different positions. It’s about who comes in to make it hard for the gaffer.”
What’s next for Scotland?
Friday June 7: Euro 2024 warm-up, Scotland vs Finland at Hampden Park, Glasgow; kick-off 7.45pm
Friday June 7: Final 26-player squad submitted to UEFA by 11pm
Saturday June 8: Final 26-player squad announced
Sunday June 9: Scotland squad fly to base camp in the Bavarian resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Scotland’s Euro 2024 schedule
Scotland have history kicking off tournaments, having been drawn to face Brazil in the opener at World Cup 1998, a game they narrowly lost 2-1 to a second-half Tom Boyd own goal.
This time around the venue is the Munich Football Arena [Allianz Arena] where Steve Clarke’s side kick-off the opening match of Euro 2024 against hosts Germany on June 14.
Scotland also face games against perennial qualifiers Switzerland in Cologne on June 19, with Hungary – who reached the knockouts in 2016 – awaiting in Stuttgart on June 23.