International Report: Scotland 1 - 0 Georgia

Gordon Strachan watched his Scotland side secure their first three points in Group D of Euro 2016 qualification – but will know it could have been a lot more comfortable for his side.

Shaun Maloney fired the Scots to victory in the match, played at Ibrox with Hampden still out of use due to the Commonwealth Games, but a lack of cutting edge in the final third meant it was nervy until the end for the Scotland fans.

Scotland passed the ball about well in the opening 10 minutes but found it hard to break down a well-drilled Georgia defence.

Despite that, Scotland were the team in control and half chances fell the way of Steven Naismith and James Morrison but neither could cause Georgia stopper Giori Loria any problems.

Scotland eventually capitalised on all their pressure on 28 minutes. After a series of corners the ball found its way out to Andy Robertson and the Hull City left back provided a fantastic delivery which was knocked out to Maloney and his shot was deflected into the net to give Scotland the lead.

Morrison became the first man to go into the referee’s notebook after a poor tackle on Giorgi Papava on the right wing, but the free kick came to nothing.

The Scotland fans at Ibrox then thought they were further in front on 37 minutes when the ball broke to captain Scott Brown, but his shot was deflected wide.

Temuri Ketsbaia’s side offered very little in attack throughout the first half, but their concentration levels and compact defence meant Scotland had to remain wary of the visitors as the half-time whistle went.

Scotland came out strong in the second half, and Steven Fletcher strayed just offside after good work from Maloney and Naismith, but Loria had pulled off a fantastic save to deny the Scot anyway.

The second half went in a similar way to the first with no real clear cut chances for Scotland despite having all the possession. Ikechi Anya was causing problems for the Georgia defence but failed to deliver a final ball.

On 60 minutes the best chance of the game so far for the visitors arrived. A long ball forward caught out the Scotland defence and the Georgian attacker smashed over the bar.

Scotland then had their best chance a minute later as it looked like the game was about to open up.

An attacking run from full back Alan Hutton brought him a chance to play through Steven Naismith but his shot was easily saved by Loria.

With 13 minutes left to play, Naismith should have doubled Scotland’s advantage. After neat passing by the Everton striker, Hutton and Fletcher, the ball found its way to Scotland’s number 10 but Naismith could only fire wide of the target.

Georgia then came close to an equaliser when the ball broke to substitute Irakil Dzaria but he couldn’t find the target from 18 yards.

Loria was keeping the visitors in the game and was once again forced into a great save, this time from Morrison. The West Brom midfielder played a neat one-two with Fletcher but couldn’t strike past Loria.

Scotland introduced Derby striker Chris Martin towards the end in an attempt to run down the clock and the big attacker helped Scotland hold out for victory at Ibrox and keep confidence high for the Tartan Army ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Poland.

Scotland: Marshall; Hutton, Martin, Hanley, Robertson; Brown, Morrison; Maloney, Naismith (McArthur), Anya; Fletcher (Martin).

Unused subs: Gordon, Gilks, Martin, Reynolds, Whittaker, Bannan, Greer, Burke, Fletcher, Dorrans, May.

Georgia: Loria, Lobzhanidze, Kverkvelia, Grigalava, Khubutia, Kankava, Daushvili, Gelashvili, Kvikerlia (Okriashvili), Papava (Dzaria), Qazaishvili (Chanturia)

Unused subs: Kvaskvadze, Migineishvili, Tsintsadze, Ananidze, Chanturia, Dvalishvili, Ebralidze, Khmaladze, Papunashvili, Rekhviashvili