Lithuania 0 Scotland 3: Liverpool new boy Andrew Robertson scores as Gordon Strachan’s side keep World Cup dreams alive
Stuart Armstrong and James McArthur both on the score-sheet as Scotland sit third in Group F
SCOTLAND kept their World Cup Qualifying hopes alive as they produced a dominant performance to see off Lithuania.
Goals from Stuart Armstrong, James McArthur and a stunner from Andy Robertson ensured a well-deserved victory for Gordon Strachan’s men.
In a dominant opening 45 minutes, the visitors looked sharp from the off on the artificial 4G surface in Vilnius.
Early opportunities from Leigh Griffiths and debut boy Matt Phillips sent out a warning call to Edgaras Jankauskas’ men.
Former Hearts man Arvydas Novikovas proved to be Lithuania’s biggest threat in a lively opening 20 minutes to the match.
The winger dragged a shot wide of target from a promising position inside the box and then had a long-range free-kick which forced Craig Gordon in a superb reflex save.
However, it was the Scots who opened the scoring in the 24th minute as Stuart Armstrong powered home a header from Griffiths’ corner to claim his first international goal.
The 3,000 strong Tartan Army support were enjoying what they were seeing from Gordon Strachan’s side and Andy Robertson was quick to make it 2-0 on the half hour mark.
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The new Liverpool full-back, who recently celebrated the birth of his first child, displayed brilliant composure as he shifted the ball neatly onto his favoured left-foot before curling a stunning effort into the top corner from just outside the box.
Scotland picked up from where they left off in the second half and Griffiths went close to making it three when he connected a Robertson cross at the back-post but could only hit the side netting.
There were to be a few nervy moments for the Scots when Hibs midfielder Vykintas Slivka blazed a shot just past the far post on the hour mark.
Celtic front man Griffiths again showed why he deserves to be Scotland’s No.9 after he teed up James McArthur on 72 minutes to side-foot a shot past the keeper and put the game to bed.
Substitutes Matt Ritchie and Chris Martin both had late chances to increase the scoreline but, thankfully the damage had already been done.
Scotland now turn their attentions to Monday night’s game against Malta at Hampden – a repeat performance would go a long way to have supporters dreaming of Russia 2018 again.