A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

Charmed life in second half, but Scots ahead in vital tie

- Scott Burns

ON International Day of Happiness, Scott McTominay ensured Scotland were smiling as his penalty put Steve Clarke's men in the driving seat to remain in Nations League Group A.

The midfielder's 12th international goal was enough to give Clarke's side a moraleboosting away win in Greece.

Scotland now know if they avoid defeat at Hampden on Sunday they will safeguard their place in the top tier of the Nations League.

There was no doubt the Scots rode their luck as they were given a debatable penalty before VAR overturned a second-half award for the Greeks.

But the visitors defended well and managed to take the lead at the halfway stage.

Scotland’s late revival in League A with seven points from the final nine points scrambled them above Poland and into this play-off - now they have taken another move closer to retaining their place.

Greece, who had won six of their last seven games, felt aggrieved not to have won promotion with five wins, including victory at Wembley, but their home defeat to England denied them top spot.

Clarke resisted the temptation to return to a back four, which meant Kieran Tierney started on the bench.