The game could never be reduced to the contribution of a sole individual, not when the team's reputation and mood was being salvaged after the heavy defeat by the USA in Scotland's last outing.

Attention was already focused on Jordan Rhodes, though, since his exploits last season have exposed him to the hopeful demands of a nation forever seeking a heroic figure.

There were several new players to appreciate, and Ross McCormack's finish for the third goal was determined and precise, but the expectation on Rhodes was to produce a display that would reflect his burgeoning reputation. Kenny Miller remains Craig Levein's first-choice centre-forward, but if Rhodes continues to develop and score at such an uncommon rate in England, while Miller operates in the less competitively demanding MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps, that hierarchy will seem a matter of habit rather than form.

Miller is approaching the final stages of his career, although he continues to be a tigerishly hard runner and he is experienced as the focal point of the attack. Yet there is a need for competition. The goalscoring rate of Rhodes, and his increasingly assured performances, have pushed the young forward into prominence.

The desire for Rhodes to impose himself at this level is also emphasised by the continued absence of Steven Fletcher. The Wolves striker was the subject of an unsuccessful £12m bid by Sunderland earlier this week, but is still likely to return to the Barclays Premier League, where his physical presence and sharpness allow him to thrive. Yet his relationship with Levein remains broken and that continues to prompt regret.

"If Craig could get a really top-class central defender and a quality striker to go with what he already has, it would make a big difference," said Sir Alex Ferguson in an interview in the programme for last night's friendy win over Australia. "That's why it's a shame that Craig and Steven Fletcher haven't been able to reach a compromise. Fletcher is a very useful striker. It would be good for the country if he were available for selection."

A narrow-framed striker, with fresh-faced features and the sprightliness of a carefree existence, Rhodes seemed unconcerned by the demand to treat this occasion as his personal stage. In the opening eight minutes, he almost back-heeled one effort on target before marginally failing to make contact with an Alan Hutton cross. He headed another delivery wide, and the impression was of a striker who possesses those invaluable traits of timing, anticipation, and an instinctive sense of where opponents are most vulnerable.

Rhodes harried the Australia defenders, and peeled away selflessly into the channels, but he was most alive in the penalty area. Sloppiness contributed to the home side falling behind, but the decisiveness and alertness of Rhodes as he stooped to head Danny Fox's cross beyond Mark Schwarzer was a decisive riposte.

There were other performances that rose above the throng of a match that was generally competitive and fast-paced. Robert Snodgrass was artful on the right of the midfield, using his strength, powerful running and trickery to constantly good effect: a player of swagger but also discipline, he was composed on the ball, regardless of how many opponents were crowding and jostling him. There was much to admire in Fox's deliveries – and it was his cross that Jason Davidson headed beyond his own goalkeeper to put Scotland in front – although the Southampton left-back was relatively untested in defensive situations.

Levein deployed Gary Caldwell in the midfield holding role to break up play and provide cover for the two centre-backs. This greater solidity might better equip Scotland for the more testing World Cup qualifying fixtures.

The immediate obligation is to win the first two next month, at home to Serbia and Macedonia. Those games will require Scotland to be compact and well-organised, but also dangerous and clinical in attack. Rhodes continues to make his case. "Great finish from Rhodes," wrote Fletcher in a tweet about the player who is, essentially, his replacement.