Scott McTominay and Ché Adams on target as nervy Scotland edge out Belarus

Scotland edged closer to the World Cup with this result. It is just that next summer’s festival of football felt so far away as the Scots limped and laboured to victory over Belarus.

A dismal showing has left Steve Clarke with far more questions than answers beforethe two closing fixtures that will determine Scotland’s Group C fate. More of this will not do; as the Hampden Park crowd pointed out with increasing ferocity during the second half. Scott McTominay eased nerves with a late goal; the Napoli man’s lack of celebration said it all.

Belarus even claimed the final act as Hleb Kuchko slotted underneath Angus Gunn. Scotland will struggle and badly at a World Cup on this grim evidence.

It was almost worse – far worse – for the hosts. Evgeni Malashevich had the ball in the net for what would have been a 63rd minute Belarus equaliser. After being afforded a second view, the match referee determined McTominay had been fouled as Belarus snatched midfield possession.

The video assistant referee had already determined Che Adams handled the ball when controlling it, cancelling out the same offence by Yegor Parkhomenko. Scotland were therefore denied a penalty kick. It was, however, embarrassing that Clarke’s men were clinging to officialdom in this manner. They were facing international cannon fodder.

Adams had sent the hosts in front after 15 minutes, collecting a Jack Hendry pass before slamming home with his left foot. The Torino striker correctly survived an offside check.

Scotland were horribly ragged thereafter against a side defeated by six Denmark goals on Thursday. John McGinn and Ben Gannon-Doak had half chances but only that. Belarus, buoyed up by Scottish shortcomings, thought they had levelled through Malashevich. Few could have grudged them that moment.

McTominay, who has been short of his best throughout this campaign, afforded the Scots breathing space. Andy Robertson’s cross was missed by Aleksandr Martynovich, with McTominay beating Fedor Lapoukhov. Kuchko left Robertson for dust as Belarus reduced the deficit in stoppage time. From a Scottish perspective, this fixture need not ever be spoken of again.

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