The wait of World on our shoulders

AFTER a 27-year wait Scotland are now just 180 minutes away from a World Cup finals.

- SCOTT MCDERMOTT AT HAMPDEN

But if they are as tense and nerve-shredding as the 90-odd here at Hampden, some of the Tartan Army might not see next summer.

Steve Clarke's side finally saw off Group C minnows Belarus thanks to goals from Che Adams and Scott McTominay.

But that doesn't tell half the story of an anxious encounter that had the home crowd shattered by full-time.

The victory kept the Scots unbeaten in qualification and on track for a first World Cup appearance since France 98.

With two games to go against Greece and Denmark next month they are in charge of their own destiny. But Scotland will have to play a whole lot better than this to get there. After a ropey start, Adams settled things down when drilled home a Jack Hendry pass.

But they failed to build on it and had to rely on VAR to rule out a Belarus equaliser as fans were put through the wringer.

Eventually McTominay grabbed a second with six minutes left. But even then there was work to do. The away side made it 2-1 in stoppage time through sub Hleb Kuchkoto who set up a nailbiting finale. But Scotland hung on, despite some jeers from supporters at the end.

JOB DONE

This wasn't pretty by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it was horrible at times to watch. But ultimately Clarke won't care because it’s another three points in the bag and one step closer to the promised land of a World Cup.

In his landmark game as Scotland gaffer he couldn't afford any slip-ups.

This game and victory won't live long in the memory. But that won't matter if the Tartan Army are in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.

That's the end goal and Clarke's boys are now just two games away from achieving it.