STEVE CLARKE has urged Scotland to kick on after a strong World Cup start.
Che Adams was on target in a 2-0 qualifier win over Belarus in neutral Hungary.
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Scotland are level on four points with Group C leaders Denmark – with a massive Hampden clash against Greece next on October 9.
Clarke said: “It’s a good start but it’s only a start.
“Four points will never qualify anybody for anything.
“We have two big home games coming up next month against Greece and Belarus.
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“But the efforts of the players and the preparation and help from all the staff has been great.
“It’s nice to start like this and we can go home with a smile on our faces.
“But I’m already thinking about next month.
“I will decompress and then start watching the matches and pray that nobody picks up injuries.
“Hopefully they all go back to their clubs, get more minutes and come in next month in a good place.”
Adams tapped Scotland ahead late in the first half before Zachary Volkov’s own goal killed the closed-doors game in Zalaegerszeg.
Clarke said: “It was a tough night but I expected Belarus to have a reaction from their defeat to Greece.
“They lost heavily so they immediately wanted to be more solid defensively.
“They had a lot of height and filled the team with centre backs.
“We had to be patient but it was nice to get the goal before half-time to give that extra security.
“We were good and we kept prodding.
“We did what we wanted to do, although Belarus made it difficult.
“They were a threat on the counter with some pace up front.
“It was about staying patient and that would have been the half-time message even if we hadn’t scored.
“I told the players we needed the second goal to make the game secure and we did that.”
Clarke brought Billy Gilmour and Ben Gannon-Doak into the team after Friday’s 0-0 draw against Denmark.
How they rated
Angus Gunn – Got away with a casual clearance early on when it bounced off Yevgeny Malashevich. Saved from Kirill Pechenin and Max Ebong as Scotland lived dangerously for a while in the first half. 7
Max Johnston – First competitive start for Scotland and nearly created a goal by planting a cross in the six-yard box for Scott McTominay. Defended well and got involved up the park as well. 7
John Souttar – Great defensive clearance in the first half to deny Belarus a chance when Scotland got ragged for a spell. Should have scored with a first-half header but nodded Andy Robertson’s cross over. 7
Scott McKenna – Dinamo Zagreb defender had to be alert to the Belarus pace on the break but covered their runs well. Always keen to get on the ball and build attacks when Scotland had possession. 7
Andy Robertson – Scotland skipper got high up the pitch plenty when Scotland were on top but none of his crosses were converted in the end. Dovetailed well with Gannon-Doak down the flank. 7
Billy Gilmour – Recalled to the starting line-up after missing out in Copenhagen and came agonisingly close to scoring but had his effort from the edge of the box tipped onto the post. 7
John McGinn – Superb left-footed cross to the back post for McTominay to nod down for Adams’ goal. Late chance to make it three but just got crowded out by the Belarus goalkeeper. 7
Lewis Ferguson – Lucky he didn’t get seriously injured by a reckless tackle from Vladislav Kalinin in the middle of the park which left him writhing in agony. Amazingly, the Belarus midfielder didn’t walk. 7
Scott McTominay – So often Scotland’s scorer when it matters but was provider this time, cushioning a header down for Che Adams to turn home. Should have nailed a header himself. 7
Ben Gannon-Doak – The name Scotland fans craved on the team sheet and clearly his team-mates were the same since they fed him at every opportunity. Livewire every time he got the ball. 7
Che Adams – Great striker’s finish reading McTominay’s knockdown before turning the ball home from close range. Lovely dink over for the second and should have scored a third late on when clean through. 8
Subs:
Ryan Christie (Gannon-Doak 73) Replaced Gannon-Doak with a quarter-hour left. 4
Aaron Hickey (Johnston 73) on with Scotland in command of the game. 4
Lyndon Dykes (Adams 82) replaced Adams with the game won. 3
Kenny McLean (Gilmour 82) Late sub for Gilmour with Scotland cruising. 3
Lennon Miller (McTominay 89) Final few mins. 2
He said: “Billy and Ben are two players who excite the public.
“My job is to pick the team that can win the game.
“The game away to Denmark needed a different team and set-up.
“I knew we would dominate the ball against Belarus and that we needed pace in behind.
“Billy and Ben did very well, but so did Scott McKenna and the rest. They all did a great job.
“Clean sheets are what we have to build our campaign on.
“If we can keep the ball out of the net, we always have enough to score one or two.”
Scotland captain Andy Robertson hailed the professionalism of Clarke’s players.
He said: “Job done. That’s the best way to describe it.
“Belarus conceded a few goals against Greece and we knew they would try to be tighter.
“We started on the front foot and we had to work out what was going to cause them problems.
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“They made it difficult but we were patient, took our time and got a great goal.
“The second goal was important but we were in control and that was a good win.”
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