Cyprus 0 Scotland 3 – Steve Clarke’s men could be within DAYS of clinching Euro 2024 place after stunning Larnaca rout
WE’RE so close now we can almost taste the Bratwurst.“Germany, Germany, we’re the famous Tartan Army and we’re off to Germany,” belted out the Scotland fans in Cyprus.
Scott McTominay scored Scotland’s first to kickstart the goals in LarnacaCredit: Getty
Ryan Porteous netted his first international goal in the win over CyprusCredit: Getty
Even Steve Clarke must believe it now.
Just one more point could do it and, who knows, we might not even need get it for ourselves.
But all eyes will be on Oslo where Norway take on Georgia and if that ends a draw it’ll be mission accomplished.
There is still some work to be done for it all to become a formality.
But not even the most pessimistic Scot on the planet can have any fear that this team is not going to next summer’s Euros.
This team just doesn’t seem to know what failure looks like in this qualification campaign.
Show me what you’re made of, Clarke challenged his Group A leaders before kick-off in Larnaca.
Well, didn’t they just with a performance that was truly magnificent on the Med.
Most read in Football
Scott McTominay, Ryan Porteous and John McGinn all scored inside the first half-hour on a night when no-one in dark blue put a foot wrong.
That’s the thing about this group of players – they are a proper team who BELONG at a major tournament.
Let’s get it right, the expectation here was that Scotland wouldn’t end their winning streak against the team propping up Group A.
Sure, Temur Ketsbaia’s side had to be respected as a proud nation who would put everything into this qualifier.
They did just that at Hampden back in March when two late McTominay strikes came after McGinn scored early to make that result appear far more comfortable
McTominay celebrates
But Cyprus have zero points on the table for good reason.
It almost felt unthinkable that Clarke’s men would come here and waste all their hard work in the previous four games.
But how many times have we said that down the years?
How often have our teams got into promising positions in campaigns only to throw it away just as we’re all getting excited?
The thing about his group of players, though, is that they aren’t scarred by any previous disappointments.
It’s such a young, vibrant squad with super-positive 20-somethings playing at the highest level for their clubs every week.
And even the ones who aren’t getting a regular game on a Saturday are so athletic, fit and strong you wouldn’t know they’re on the fringes of their teams.
Scotland player ratings
ANGUS GUNN: The keeper made his Scotland debut against Cyprus in the Hampden win back in March. Yet to concede a goal from open play. Few routine saves 9
JACK HENDRY: A nation held its breath, fearing VAR might come into play. Thankfully, after the defender’s towering back-post header, Scotland’s second goal stood 9
RYAN PORTEOUS: The right man in the right place at the right time to notch his first goal for his country. You could see exactly what it meant to the Watford star too 9
KIERAN TIERNEY: The Real Sociedad defender won his 40th cap against Cyprus. What a way to celebrate such a milestone. A huge player for Scotland and Steve Clarke 9
AARON HICKEY: Another rising star who has made such an impact. Heavily involved in the third goal. Defended well and got forward at pretty much every opportunity 9
SCOTT McTOMINAY: Man United’s loss is Scotland’s gain. The Tartan Army talisman made it six goals in five games. Played like a man with a major point to prove 9
CALLUM McGREGOR: A calming figure in the middle of the park. So much time, so much space and always picking out the right pass. This was an outstanding display 9
BILLY GILMOUR: A magnificent showing from the Brighton star. Poise, balance, strength and composure. The kid has it all. A genuine world-class star in the making 9
ANDREW ROBERTSON: Superb from the Scots skipper on a night when Clarke’s men excelled. Pin-point accuracy for the opener and from the free-kick which led to the second 9
JOHN McGINN: A truly stunning finish fired Scotland into a three-goal lead before half-time. It was his 17th goal for his country and he won’t have scored many better 9
CHE ADAMS: The Southampton striker got the nod ahead of Lyndon Dykes. His quick throw-in helped create first. No real surprise to see him replaced after 66 minutes 9
SUBS: Kenny McLean (7) Hero of Oslo got standing ovation when he came on.
Lyndon Dykes (7) Probably disappointed not to start but played part.
Nathan Patterson (6), Stuart Armstrong (6), Ryan Christie (6) all on late.
Big McTominay has fallen out of favour at Man United under Erik Ten Hag and has looked to be on his way out of Old Trafford this summer.
But if he’s conserving his energy for Scotland then that’s all good and well – because he was absolutely outstanding here in dark blue.
Some people were maybe surprised to see him in the starting line-up because of his lack of big game action so far this season.
But Clarke has a habit of keeping faith in his key players and McTominay is clearly someone he trusts.
So it was rich reward for the Scotland boss to see the midfielder score the opener here and play so brilliantly.
Cyprus looked stunned when he hit the net after only six minutes.
Andy Robertson stood up a cross from the left touchline and it was flicked on by McGinn with McTominay powering home his header at the back stick.
Scotland teams of years gone by have often been guilty of sitting off games after taking early leads. But not this one.
The home side did have a couple of pot shots from distance at 1-0.
But Clarke’s side have such a ruthless side to them these days that there was no chance of them taking their foot off the gas after taking the lead.
Getting the second goal with only 16 minutes on the clock was great timing too because it sapped the life out of the opposition.
At first it looked like the penalty box strike from Porteous may be ruled out for a climb by Jack Hendry inside the crowded box.
But replays showed the defender was just more determined to get to the ball first than his marker.
The VAR officials rightly saw nothing wrong with the challenge and the ex-Hibs defender was able to celebrate his first international goal.
It was all just such a joy to watch.
The way Scotland were passing and moving was fantastic.
McTominay was at the heart of everything and on the half-hour mark he fired a pass into McGinn’s feet as he took up a great position on the edge of the Cyprus box.
The Aston Villa skipper took a good touch to set himself before curling an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Joel Mall with his trusty left foot.
The Tartan Army had spent all day in the Larnaca boozers but by now it was the football they were seeing that was intoxicating.
Being 3-0 up at the interval made the second-half a mere formality.
McTominay was close to getting his second of the night at the back post on 55 minutes but just got to the ball a split second too late.
Read More on The Sun
The man of match then rattled a curling shot off the post.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More
