IT'S THE SILENT TREATMENT FOR OUR RIVALS

Scotland continue positive start to qualification with closed-doors win

- Ronnie Esplin in Zalaegerszeg

SCOTLAND kept on a steady course for the 2026 World Cup with a solid qualifying victory over Belarus on a surreal evening in neutral Hungary.

After an encouraging 0-0 draw for Steve Clarke’s side in their Group C opener in Denmark on Friday night, last night’s closed-doors match in the ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg was in sharp contrast.

Players and management shouts echoed around the ground with loud Scottish celebrations heard when striker Che Adams scored from close range two minutes before the break. In the 65th minute, Belarus defender Zakhar Volkov put through his own goal to seal a crucial win for the Scots.

Clarke’s side now go into the home doubleheader against Greece and Belarus at Hampden next month with four points from six on the road, two clean sheets and the chance to build on a strong start, while Denmark’s 3-0 win in Greece also takes them on to four points but with a slightly better goal difference.