Scotland 1-0 Slovakia: Lyndon Dykes goal leaves Clarke’s men top of Group B2

Scotland stretched their unbeaten run to over a 12 months as Lyndon Dykes’ second worldwide aim secured a Nations League win over Slovakia.

Scotland final suffered defeat in Russia 12 months in the past, and whereas they didn’t make too many possibilities at an empty Hampden, the Scots have now recorded 5 wins and two attracts within the seven video games since that defeat.

Clarke’s facet now welcome the Czech Republic to Glasgow on Wednesday.

Regardless of Thursday’s heroics to see off Israel in a Euro 2020 play-off semi-final penalty shootout, Scotland obtained criticism for his or her lack of depth and leading edge, and their first-half displaying in opposition to the Slovaks did little to reply these critics.

The sport continued to lack urgency because the half wore on, Scott McTominay and Stephen O’Donnell each dragged hopeful efforts large of aim earlier than Branislav Ninaj denied Dykes with an excellent problem as the previous Livingston man raced via on aim.

The ensuing nook noticed Motherwell’s Declan Gallagher rise highest, solely to look a header large of the goal as Clarke’s males went into the break failing to register a shot on aim.

Nonetheless, the Scots got here out with intent early within the second interval as John McGinn noticed a speculative effort drag large earlier than Dykes’ opener. Ryan Fraser fed Stephen O’Donnell on the best, and his delicate cross into the field discovered Dykes in house to complete from shut vary.

The guests tried to make a fast response as a nook finally fell to Jan Gregus, however his effort was smothered on the second try by David Marshall.

Dykes then made approach for Oli McBurnie, and the Sheffield United striker got here near getting his first Scotland aim after he crashed a header off the bar from a Fraser cross.

Man of the match – Ryan Fraser

What did we be taught?

On an attacking entrance, it regarded like the identical points from Thursday had been arising once more after a pedestrian first half. However Clarke might be happy together with his group’s depth ranges in spells throughout a second interval which noticed Dykes rating the winner.

Nonetheless, what is going to please the supervisor essentially the most once more is the again three recording a second successive clear sheet. After criticism final month, McTominay now seems settled within the function and Gallagher has carried out effectively when known as upon. Additionally, Andrew Considine didn’t put a foot incorrect on his debut and that may solely give Clarke confidence in his defensive choices going into subsequent month’s play-off.

Match stats

• Scotland have saved a clear sheet in successive matches for the primary time since a run of three World Cup qualifiers in September/October 2017.
• Slovakia are winless in 4 Nations League matches since beating Ukraine 4-1 in November 2018, scoring solely twice since.
• Scotland have gained a aggressive sport 1-0 for the primary time since October 2017 – their opponents that day had been Slovakia.
• Lyndon Dykes has scored 4 objectives in his final seven appearances for Scotland and QPR, netting in two of his final three video games for the nationwide facet.

What they mentioned

Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke: “It was a great efficiency from begin to end. The system labored effectively. It was a great stable defensive efficiency and we regarded a menace going ahead.

“[Scott] McTominay, who supposedly could not play right-sided centre again, was wonderful once more, Declan Gallagher was wonderful and Andrew Considine did not let himself down tonight. He was actually good.”

What’s subsequent?

Each side proceed their Nation League campaigns on Wednesday (19:45 BST) as Scotland tackle the Czech Republic at Hampden and Slovakia welcome Israel.