Armenia 1 Scotland 4 - Steve Clarke's men return to form with Stuart Armstrong inspired win

AuthorBen Banks
Published date14 June 2022
Publication titleEdinburghLive (Scotland)
It was a start head coach Steve Clarke was desperate to avoid as Tigran Barseghyan left Grant Hanley on the floor for Vahan Bichakhchyan to net early doors

Calm was restored moments later as Stuart Armstrong restored parity during an action-packed opening 15 minutes of competition.

Arman Hovhannisyan shot his team in the foot with two bookings within 30 seconds of each other and Armstrong notched his second of the game before half-time

John McGinn, Che Adams all struck in the second half as the national team put the gloom of defeat to Republic of Ireland behind them to go second in the group, behind Ukraine on goal difference.

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Clarke and his team were in need of a boost after what had been a testing period of international fixtures.

A 3-1 World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Ukraine and a 3-0 loss to Republic of Ireland in this competition brought a gloomy mood around the national team.

Last Wednesday's 2-0 victory over this opposition was little solace and the return fixture started in the worst possible fashion for a nation needing positivity.

Despite shouts of a free-kick against Norwich City defender Hanley, he was left in the dirt by Barseghyan on the right flank and Bichakhchyan converted his cutback.

A back three of Scott McTominay, Jack Hendry and Hanley, alongside the absence of captain Andy Robertson at left-wing-back, looked far from comfortable against a side they'd swept aside with ease at Hampden.

Alas, a botched overhead kick by Che Adams provided a bizarre ray of light for Scotland as it bundled into the path of Armstrong and he finished calmly.

Armenia were by far the most threatening team though and time and time again were they getting behind Clarke's backline...

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