Poland 1 – 2 Scotland

Captain Andy Robertson was Scotland’s hero with a stoppage-time winner to grab a 2-1 victory over Poland which secured them a Nations League relegation lifeline.

Scotland knew it was win or bust in Warsaw as they seemed for back-to-back victories to at the very least earn them third spot in Group A1 and a relegation play-off.

John McGinn was handed a begin after his very important objective towards Croatia and he despatched the Tartan Military wild simply three minutes in as he smashed residence the ball with Ben Doak as soon as once more offering the help.

Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay then hit the woodwork, whereas Craig Gordon produced some high-quality saves to offer Steve Clarke’s aspect hope on the break.

Kamil Piatkowski’s beautiful strike pulled Poland stage, however Robertson’s late header spared Scotland heartache they usually now face a play-off in March to maintain their place within the Nations League’s high tier, with Michal Probierz’s Poland aspect relegated.

Scotland supervisor Clarke hailed the idea within the squad that stored their Nations League survival hopes alive following one other late winner.

Clarke stated: “The extra you play at this stage, the higher you get. We began with three slender defeats with good performances.

“The gamers did not lose perception, I did not lose perception within the gamers. They find yourself taking seven factors from the final three video games which will get us into that play-off.

“The extra you play at this stage, the extra you learn to win the video games. That is what we have proved.

Scotland saved after Warsaw drama

Scotland missed out on second place after Croatia obtained the purpose they wanted in a 1-1 draw at residence to Portugal however the victory additionally boosted probabilities of Clarke’s males edging their means into pot two of subsequent month’s World Cup qualifying draw.

Scotland are on the lookout for Georgia or Estonia to seize some kind of end result away to the Czech Republic and Slovakia respectively on Tuesday.

McGinn got here into the Scotland crew together with Lyndon Dykes after netting the one objective towards Croatia on Friday and Gordon shook off a virus to begin.

The opening moments had been an indication of issues to return. There was a scare for Scotland inside 60 seconds till Robertson made an important protecting block.

An incisive move from Gilmour quickly gave Doak the possibility to arrange McGinn, who swept residence along with his proper foot.

Doak was all over the place within the opening phases, making interventions deep in his personal half and beating his man earlier than placing in one other harmful ball.

The house aspect quickly started making a collection of possibilities. Gordon saved from Jakub Kaminski, Piatkowski and Karol Swiderski, who additionally missed a sitter, whereas Sebastian Szymanski had a weak effort blocked.

Doak had a shot saved on the break within the midst of the house strain earlier than Scotland settled down and started knocking the ball about with confidence and function.

The probabilities adopted. Dykes’ shot rippled the side-netting, Gilmour hit the crossbar from almost 30 yards and Doak despatched McTominay clear however the Napoli man was denied by a save after nice ability.

McTominay then hit the submit earlier than Robertson’s shot was deflected over, whereas Gordon and John Souttar got here to Scotland’s rescue on the different finish.

As issues stood at half-time, Scotland had been behind Croatia on targets scored with Portugal 1-0 up in Cut up.

The second half began in precisely the identical method. Souttar cleared off the road earlier than McGinn’s move was turned simply previous the submit with Scotland gamers lining up on the six-yard line. McTominay quickly fired nicely over from one other first rate probability.

Poland obtained again on the entrance foot and finally labored a taking pictures probability as Scotland defended their field in numbers, with Piatkowski sending an unstoppable strike into the highest nook.

Scotland had been again on the backside of the desk however nonetheless wanted only one objective to maneuver them as much as second. Dykes seemed like he had obtained it when he headed Gilmour’s cross in direction of the highest nook however Lukasz Skorupski leapt to claw the ball away.

Information of a Croatia equaliser proved one other blow for Scotland supervisor Clarke, however Scotland had half-chances. Robertson fired over, Ryan Christie’s header was saved and Kenny McLean headed over earlier than the captain had the ultimate say to the delight of his team-mates and the travelling followers.

Clarke: One other step within the journey

Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke:

“Once you look in direction of the tip of the sport, we made 5 adjustments. I feel the depth of the squad is sweet. We’re nonetheless lacking one other three or 4 gamers who can in all probability add to that. Hopefully going into subsequent 12 months, they will get again match and make my job tougher.

“There’s been a variety of good moments over my five-and-a-half years and that is simply one other step on the journey.

“We knew we might must be at our greatest to get a end result. That is one other place we will say we all know tips on how to go away from residence and get a optimistic lead to a tough surroundings.

“One other help for Ben [Doak], which is sweet. I feel he drained fairly rapidly within the second half, I ought to have perhaps taken him off a bit earlier, however he is a risk, he is very direct, he will get at defenders.

“I am actually happy for the supporters. A great way to finish this Nations League marketing campaign. You at all times imagine. It was a really open sport, a variety of possibilities.”

Robertson: McGinn is the heartbeat of the crew

Match-winner Andy Robertson:

“It was in all probability one in every of my higher headers! Only a nice feeling to get the win as a result of I feel our efficiency deserved it, and over the six video games we deserved extra factors than we have.

“This crew’s proven time and time once more that we do not cease till the ultimate whistle, and I feel we have proven that once more. We have given the away followers one other good day trip.

“John [McGinn] has obtained so many qualities. A unbelievable footballer who at all times pops up for Scotland, his targets and performances let you know that and I am glad all the opposite guys got here with him, as a result of at one level he was carrying this nation on his personal, then all of us raised to his customary.

“Off the pitch, he is integral. He is the heartbeat and retains us going, lifts the spirits and annoys us at instances! He at all times makes us chuckle, however on the pitch he is an unimaginable skilled and participant.

“I am delighted for him. He is his harshest critic, he at all times talks down on himself and he wasn’t completely satisfied along with his performances just lately.

“I assumed his efficiency at the moment was superb, he was completely different class.”

What the win means for Scotland

Scotland have confirmed third place in Group A1 and can now play a two-legged play-off in March towards a League B runner-up to find out who performs in Nations League Group A within the subsequent match.

Two confirmed potential opponents are Greece and Austria, the opposite two can be determined after Tuesday’s video games.

The play-off draw is on Friday with the video games scheduled for March 20 and 23. Scotland can be at Hampden Park for the second leg.

Clarke’s aspect are additionally set to be in Pot 3 for the World Cup qualifiers, beginning subsequent summer time.

They may rise to Pot 2 if the Czech Republic lose to Georgia or Slovakia lose to Estonia – each play on Tuesday.

What’s subsequent for Scotland?