CRAIG GORDON: Even Dundee United tested him more than this in the recent League Cup final.

One of the quieter Hampden performances for the Celtic goalkeeper who was taken off at half-time, presumably to prevent the onset of hypothermia. 6

STEVEN WHITTAKER: Just about the only former Rangers player not to plead for a return to Ibrox this week. Defensively diligent without getting forward as much as he probably would have liked. 6

GORDON GREER: Chance for the 34 year-old to stake a claim in central defence with Grant Hanley unavailable. Would have felt a lot older by the end of it. Effortlessly efficient, however. 6

RUSSELL MARTIN: Was alert to snuff out a rare Northern Irish counter attack in the first half, his reward to not have to come back out for the second. Even Gibraltar will give him more to do on Sunday. Probably. 6

CRAIG FORSYTH: First Scotland start for the Derby defender. Coped well although was hardly tested by a Northern Irish attack less threatening than a two year-old with a water pistol. Great cross early in the second half teed up Steven Naismith. 7

JAMES McARTHUR: One of two deeper-lying midfielders although stretched his legs with one sudden burst forward in the first half. Will do well to retain his place on Sunday when Scott Brown will surely start. 6

DARREN FLETCHER: Handed the captaincy in the absence of Brown and strolled through it with typical poise, although was rarely put to the test. 6

MATT RITCHIE: Quiet start to his debut for the Bournemouth player but came into it more in the second half. One shot flew wide, while another was saved by the goalkeeper. Delivered the corner for Christophe Berra's headed goal. 7

SHAUN MALONEY: Leathered one first-half shot miles over the bar. Luckily there was little chance his shot hitting anyone in the barely-populated stand behind the goal. Another player spared the second half. 6

IKECHI ANYA: Busier than Jeremy Clarkson's PR man. Could have had a first half hat-trick only to shoot wide twice after his first effort was well saved by Michael McGovern, with a second-half shot deflected for a corner. Will relish the chance to run at Gibraltar. 7

STEVEN FLETCHER: Failed to add to his solitary Scotland goal although could not be faulted for trying. For finishing maybe, yes, but not for trying. Struck various parts of McGovern's body with a couple of shots. 6

Subs:

ALLAN McGREGOR (for Gordon 46): Chelsea in the Premier League this was not. Little for the Hull goalkeeper to do although was alert to watch one Josh Magennis shot zip past his post. 5

CHRISTOPHE BERRA (for Martin 46): The match-winner with a late header. For which everyone was eternally grateful. 7

STEVEN NAISMITH (for Maloney 46): Added some much-needed urgency to the proceedings. Directed an early header wide while a second from a corner was well saved. 6

JORDAN RHODES (for S Fletcher 62): Thrown on midway through the second half for his first cap since 2013. Most significant contribution was a timely block in his own box. 5

JAMES MORRISON (for McArthur 62): Always good for a musical pun, if you know any James Morrison songs that is. Slotted in nicely alongside West Brom team-mate Fletcher. 5

JOHNNY RUSSELL (for Whittaker 78): Arrival coincided with Northern Ireland's best spell in the game. Little time to make an impact. 3