Scotland left it late, but Oli Burke's late goal ensured Steve Clarke's tenure as Scotland manager got off to a winning start against Cyprus. Here's how the players rated in the match.
MARSHALL: Selected ahead of Scott Bain and made his first Scotland start since a defeat away to Slovakia in October 2016. Didn’t have too much to do but was left with no chance after some criminal defending allowed Kousoulos a free header. 7
ROBERTSON: Lit up what was a drab night up until then with a sumptuous 25-yard strike that set Scotland on their way to the three points. Took man of the match award. 8
READ MORE: Scotland 2 Cyprus 1: Burke strikes late to get Steve Clarke era under way with a win
MULGREW: Another who found himself back in the starting line-up. Brought about Scotland’s first corner of the net after a fizzing free-kick that Urko Pardo had to turn around his post. 7
MCKENNA: Prone to blasting the ball out of the park rather than take an obvious passing option. 6
O’DONNELL: Struggled. Gave ball away a few times but could have atoned for that when he found himself through on goal going into the latter stages of the game. Hit his shot wide of the target. 6
FRASER: Worked hard on the left-flank with Robertson and one cracking run in the second period as Scotland looked to add to their advantage. Got the cross in for Burke to net the winner. 8
MCGREGOR: Looked lively at times but went into the book for a late foul on Michalis Ioannou. Was involved in lots of positive interactions with Robertson and Fraser. 7
MCLEAN: Last seen clutching a bottle of mad dog and declaring national holidays. One wild first-half effort suggested there might still have been a bit of booze swirling through his system. 6
MCGINN: Committed himself to one first-half challenge that he missed which could have been more costly than it ultimately transpired. Gave ball away in second period with Marshall forced into a stop. Nowhere near the influence he has had at club level this season. 6
READ MORE: As it happened: Scotland 2-1 Cyprus | Burke scores late winner
FORREST: Had first real chance of the game when he sent one effort just over but still looks jaded after the demands of a busy domestic campaign. 6
BROPHY: One header at the back post and will clearly need some time to acclimatize to international football but underlined the real lack of a striker at the minute for Scotland. Replaced by Burke for the final 20 minutes. 6
BURKE: Header off the post and then quick to pop in the rebound to get Clarke’s reign off to a winning start as well as his first goal for Scotland. 6
MCTOMINAY: Had to settle for coming off the bench in the latter stages of the game. 4
ARMSTRONG: One run just after coming on but failed to pick out the pass that would have put Fraser through. 4
PARDO: Not too much to do in the game but beaten by a rasping effort from Robertson. Had another decent save to deny Fraser before Burked bagged the points for Scotland. 6
MARGACA: Had the job of keeping Forrest subdued. The Celtic winger got the better of him on a couple of occasions but threat was limited. 6
LAIFIS: Not too much to concern him for much of this game at the heart of defence as Brophy struggled to make a significant impact. 6
N. IOANNOU: Booked for hauling John McGinn back midway through the first-half and then at the centre of a handball incident just before the break that could well have resulted in a Scotland penalty. 5
READ MORE: Scotland 2 Cyprus 1: Oliver Burke snatches late winner to give Steve Clarke a triumphant start
KOUSOULOS: Crunching tackle on Fraser on the edge of the box in the opening stages. Scored the equalizer when he eluded Robertson and netted with a free header. 7
MAKRIS: Forced a save from Marshall after his effort was deflected by Scott McKenna. 7
ARTYMATAS: Caused a few problems in the middle for Scotland with McGinn running into trouble against him a couple of times. 7
SPOLIJARIC: A tough shift trying to contain Robertson and Fraser from where much of Scotland’s good work came from. 6
M. IOANNOU: Drifted out wide and kept O’Donnell busy. Had the better of the Kilmarnock man who had a difficult night. 7
SOTIRIOU: Regarded as one of the danger men before the game but didn’t cause too many problems. 6
EFREM: One free-kick deep in added time which he blasted well over Marshall’s crossbar. Worked hard but didn’t not particularly trouble Marshall. 6
COSTI: Incurred the wrath of McLean after taking a dive into the final minutes of the game. 5
GEORGIOU: Sub who provided the corner for the Cypriots to get their goal. 5
PITTAS: On for final ten minutes as Cyprus tried to find a way back into the game. 4
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