RYAN CHRISTIE knows that credit for beating San Marino, even in the convincing manner that Scotland did on Sunday evening, was always going to be thin on the ground, but he is hoping that something tangible can be taken from 6-0 thumping of the minnows.
Every journey starts with a single step, after all, and though that victory over one of the world’s worst teams was a particularly small one in Scotland’s rehabilitation under Steve Clarke, the Celtic attacker hopes it will eventually lead all the way to Euro 2020.
"It was good to get back to winning ways after the Russia defeat,” Christie said.
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"We started really well and the early goal settled us a bit.
"The last thing you want is for the game to be 0-0 for a long period of time.
"We were able to build from the first goal and played well, in pretty ridiculous conditions.
"At half-time, I was wondering whether the game was actually going to be finished. I was wondering if the ref would say anything as the game went on. It was bad out on the left wing, but he didn't say a thing.
"I've only played in worse conditions when the game has ended up being called off. The ball was holding up in certain areas but after we realised that, we played smart.
"We didn't take any risks and that was the right thing to do. It was a strange night, but we did the job.
"Hopefully it does give us something to build on now. Going into the game, we wanted to win and win convincingly. The clean sheet, six goals and the win means we are happy.
"That's all we could really have done against San Marino and hopefully we can build on it. Okay, it was a lower-ranked team but you can only beat what is in front of you.
"It was a good performance and hopefully we can kick on from it next month."
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The 24-year-old has been kept waiting for his first Scotland goal despite thinking that he had opened the scoring on Sunday night, with John McGinn being credited for the goal as he got the merest of touches to the ball with his toe.
Christie, despite now being left without a goal in his nine caps to date, was happy enough though to allow his teammate to claim the match ball rather than make an issue of it.
"I was convinced it was my goal but I have since been told otherwise,” he said.
"I wasn't going to argue and try to take the hat-trick away from John though.
"He went on to get a second and third goal, so hopefully my first is just around the corner.”
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