1 - Grant Hanley should partner Russell Martin in the middle of the Scotland defence.

The Blackburn Rovers defender made a noticeable difference when he came on at centre half in the second half against Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday night. The national team’s rearguard looked far more robust with him at the heart of it. The same was true in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Germany at Hampden on Monday evening.

Hanley has not always totally convinced in his outings for the national team. Remember that World Cup qualifier against Wales at Hampden a couple of years ago? He may have scored in that match. But the rest of his performance is best forgotten.

He is, though, still just 23 and has many strengths and considerable raw potential. He is, unlike Charlie Mulgrew, a specialist centre half who is playing regularly in that position with his club at a decent level in the English Championship. It is definitely worth persevering with him. He has certainly developed a good understanding with Martin alongside him.

The Dumfries-born Scot could possibly have done better at the first Germany goal. That said, there is no disgrace in being beaten by a formidable opponent like Thomas Mueller. That apart, he did little else wrong. He was rugged and physical presence for his side.

2 - James Morrison should operate in a more advanced role.

The West Brom player has done well since dropping back to partner captain Scott Brown as a deep-lying midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 formation Gordon Strachan favours in the suspension and injury-enforced absence of Charlie Mulgrew. But he was, along with so many of his Scotland team mates, poor in the 1-0 defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday night.

Morrison moved forward to his favoured position against Germany and was one of his side’s best performers. He sat just behind lone striker Steven Fletcher and caused the visitors, not least goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, all sorts of difficulties. He had a hand in both of his side’s goals. He should remain there in future.

3 - Scotland must use men who are getting a regular game for their club sides.

A few of the players in the Scotland side against Georgia last week were picked on reputation not form. Ikechi Anya and Steven Naismith have been outstanding for their country in this qualifying campaign. Nobody quibbled with their inclusion in the starting line-up in Tbilisi or, for that matter, with the team selection in general. But they were ineffectual.

The fact they have not been starting every week for Watford and Everton respectively in the English Premier League probably contributed to their flat individual displays. Those who are playing week in week out, then, should be preferred.

Having said all that, Alan Hutton was decent enough in both matches and he has not been a regular for Aston Villa in the 2015/16 campaign with Anya did impress after coming on as a second half substitute against Germany on Monday evening.

4 - Left back is a problem position.

It is easy to understand why Strachan opted to play Charlie Mulgrew at left back. He added height and presence to his side against a large and physical side. He also had a hand in both of his side’s goals. He won the free-kick which led to the Mats Hummel own goal and the corner which resulted in the James McArthur strike.

But at the back the versatile Celtic man was often found wanting. Indeed, Germany players charged completely unopposed into the right side of the Scotland penalty area which he was supposed to be guarding ahead of both the second and third goals.

Andy Robertson of Hull City and Steven Whittaker of Norwich have both done well for the national team at left back in the past and can, like Mulgrew, cause opposing teams problems when they overlap. But against the better international sides, where defending is all important, we are found wanting. A solution has to be found. Where is Danny Fox playing these days?

5 - Darren Fletcher may not have an international future.

The former Manchester United midfielder, once the first name down on the team sheet with Scotland, has struggled to force his way back into the national side since taking a lengthy break from football due to ulcerative colitis.

He is back playing regularly, and playing well, for West Brom in the English Premier League. But Scott Brown, James Morrison and James McArthur were all preferred to him in the double header against Georgia and then Germany. An experienced player with his intelligence would have hoped to be involved in some capacity against the World Cup holders especially.

How much longer will the Dalkeith man continue to make himself available for selection if he is effectively fourth choice in his position? Will he be around for our World Cup qualifying campaign?

6 - The game against Poland at Hampden next month will be massive.

We always suspected this outing at Hampden on October 8 would be important. But the meeting with Poland has taken on even greater significance in the wake of the double header against Georgia and Germany.

Scotland now require results elsewhere to go in their favour if they are to clinch third place in their section. But it is not inconceivable that they will.

The Republic of Ireland play Germany at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on the same day. Their opponents need to triumph to secure their automatic qualification for the European Championship finals. You would expect them to do so. Their coach Joachim Loew remarked: “We will be playing to win that game. We don’t know how to play for a draw.” Be afraid Ireland, be very afraid.