Late Robertson goal sees Scotland secure Nations League play-off spot

Andy Robertson’s injury-time header secured 2-1 victory for Scotland in Poland to give themselves a chance to stay in the top-flight of the UEFA Nations League.

In a thoroughly entertaining encounter, both sides could have ended up with multiple goals but Scottish skipper Robertson, who has had a difficult start to the season, showed great desire to meet John Souttar’s cross and earn his all three points.

Scotland had a fantastic start when John McGinn turned home Ben Doak’s square ball to put them in front after three minutes and despite withstanding a lot of pressure, they were close to extending the lead as Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour both hit the woodwork.

Poland were the better side after the break and finally grabbed an equaliser before the hour mark as Kamil Piatkowski fired home a blistering strike from 20 yards.

Starting their Nations League campaign with three straight defeats, despite some good performances, Scotland boss Clarke cannot have imagined they would have ended it in such spirits.

They would even been in Pot 1 among the elite of the European competition for the World Cup qualifiers draw if not for a goal in Split from Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol.

But whoever Scotland draw, their ability to secure seven points from the last nine in League A1 must give them confidence of qualifying for the finals in the United States and Canada.

From evergreen Craig Gordon, to Souttar, to the two components of the Serie A leader’s midfield in McTominay and Gilmour and Lyndon Dykes in attack – they have a strong spine to forge a competitive team around, while veteran John McGinn and youngster Ben Doak’s quality on either flank shone on this night.

The Rangers centre back was a colossal figure at the heart of the Scotland defence, though watchers of him have been used to such displays.

Less prevalent in his career have been the type of cross produced in injury time which gave Robertson the opportunity to seal the memorable victory.

Poland: Skorupski 7; Piatkowski 7, Walukiewicz 6, Kiwior 7; Zalewski 6, Szymanski 7, Moder 6, Zielinski 6, Kaminski 7; Swiderski 7, Buksa 6.

Subs: Slisz 6, Puchacz 6, Urbanski 6.

Scotland: Gordon 7; Ralston 6, Souttar 8*, Hanley 6, Robertson 7; McLean 6, Gilmour 7; Doak 7, McTominay 7, McGinn 7; Dykes 6.

Subs: Shankland 6, Christie 6, Gauld 7, Devlin 6, Armstrong.

3′ GOAL! POLAND 0-1 SCOTLAND (MCGINN) McGinn again! Lovely football around the box with Gilmour finding Doak in the box and he squared to the Villa man who side-footed first time with his right foot from 16 yards out just inside the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.

18′ WHAT A MISS! A poor error left Swiderski alone in the box and Gordon was helpless as he drove the ball at goal but happily for Scotland it only struck the side-netting.

34′ GILMOUR SO CLOSE TO A SECOND! He slams an effort from over 25 yards out and it comes back off the crossbar.

43′ OFF THE WOODWORK AGAIN! McTominay strikes low from the edge of the box after McGinn’s lay off and Skorupski gets a slight touch to turn the ball onto the post. Robertson’s follow-up effort goes wide off a Polish leg.

47′ WHAT A CLEARANCE FROM SOUTTAR! Kaminski skipped around the challenge of Robertson and slid an effort past Gordon but the Scottish centre half was there to stretch out a leg and block the strike.

59′ GOAL! POLAND (PIATKOWSKI) 1-1 SCOTLAND You have to say it was coming. Poland have been in control after the restart and, after being teed up by Zielinski, Piatkowski drove an unstoppable shot inside the far top corner leaving Gordon with no chance.

64′ GREAT SAVE FROM SKORUPSKI Dykes directed a header from Ralston’s cross towards the right corner of Skorupski’s net but the Polish stopper on the stretch clawed the ball to safety.

90+2′ GOAL! POLAND 1-2 SCOTLAND (ROBERTSON) A captain’s goal! Souttar with a tremendous cross into the box and Robertson wanted it more than Zielewski at the back post and crashed the ball home in off the post.

• Scotland have scored more than one goal in a game twice in their last nine fixtures, both of which came against Poland.