Luxembourg 0-1 Scotland: Che Adams gets on the scoresheet to down 10-man minnows

Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes will likely be on the team-sheet when Scotland kick off at Euro 2020, and at least here there was evidence that the strikers might be on the same page.

In Steve Clarke’s attempt to remedy the scoring problems that have threatened to undermine their progress elsewhere on the pitch, the boss has recruited Englishman Adams and Australian Dykes in the past 10 months. Before the trip to Luxembourg, however, they had spent just 80 minutes in tandem.

But within half an hour of this final warm-up match there was reason to believe the pair have accelerated an understanding that will be central to their adopted nation’s hopes.

QPR’s Dykes dribbled across the face of the penalty area and delayed his pass long enough for Adams to peel into space, from which he duly slotted his second goal in his fourth international appearance.

That strike, in the 27th minute, was all Scotland needed for victory, but their failure to add more against their 10-man hosts will be a worry for Clarke.

It should be noted, though, that Luxembourg were only reduced in number on 34 minutes because of a fine link between Adams and Dykes, the former splitting the defence with a reverse pass only for the latter to be tugged down by defender Vahid Selimovic.

It was a brainless foul and ruined the game as a contest. Not that it ever felt like being a belter.

Scotland had started like an express train during Wednesday’s mightily impressive 2-2 draw with Holland. This time they began with all the urgency of a combine harvester.

Maybe it was that the strength of the starting XI provided those players with a degree of reassurance. The team certainly had the look of one which could well start against Czech Republic a week on Monday. Gone, then, was the desperation to impress that had seen them rattle the Dutch.

Goalkeeper David Marshall is one still sweating on his place, despite the penalty-shootout heroics that booked Scotland’s place at this month’s finals.

To that end, a lax opening from those in front of him was probably what Marshall secretly craved, providing him with a chance to shine.

On eight minutes he had his moment. A Luxembourg corner dropped amid bodies and, when the ball bounced towards goal via the knee of defender Grant Hanley, Marshall flung himself to claw from the bottom corner.

That save might just be enough to allay concerns over his rustiness, the 36-year-old having not featured for Derby since April.

But that proved Marshall’s sole exertion of note. He was a spectator for the remainder. Not that it was a spectacle to savour. Selimovic’s red card saw to that.

The second half was like shooting practice for Scotland – and boy do they need some.

Ryan Fraser came on and must have been cursing his team-mates for wasting the chances he provided. Dykes and Scott McTominay were both guilty of wayward headers from the winger’s inviting centres.

Chelsea teenager Billy Gilmour was another substitute who caught the eye, albeit for 25 minutes before he was forced off as a precaution after taking a heavy blow to the face.

He had every right to look frustrated, for the midfielder was perhaps playing his way into Clarke’s thinking for the Euros opener by the manner in which he dragged his team forward, twice drawing saves from Anthony Moris.