Two first half goals from Stuart Armstrong turned things around for Steve Clare’s Scotland side against Armenia who had Hovhannisyan sent off just before the interval. Scotland had fallen behind in the early stages of the game and looked a shambles defensively for the first ten minutes before the former Celtic midfielder played the crucial Get Out of Jail Free card for the former Kilmarnock boss.
It's almost kick-off time as Flower of Scotland rings out around Yerevan! 🏴🎶
Commentary from @HamiltonRory and Ally McCoist 🎙#ARMSCO pic.twitter.com/42RuOJhIwO
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
The misery continues for Scotland! 😬
Bichakhchyan gives Armenia an early lead 🇦🇲
"There might be at least two free kicks before it…having said that, defended it very poorly." 🗣️#ARMSCO pic.twitter.com/6o3lnInxIR
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
"And that is the response. Exactly what Scotland and Steve Clarke needed!" 🗣️
A cool finish from Stuart Armstrong and the Tartan Army celebrate getting back on level terms already 🏴#ARMSCO | @ScotlandNT pic.twitter.com/iTC2IjP6gQ
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
A MASSIVE break for Scotland just before half time! 😮
Hovhannisyan is booked twice in a matter of seconds and Armenia are reduced to 10 men 🟥 pic.twitter.com/f87qq4B1eN
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
Stuart Armstrong at the double for Scotland! 🔥
This game has turned on its head thanks to a superb finish just as Armstrong began to lose his footing 🏴#ARMSCO | @ScotlandNT pic.twitter.com/Q3ewVnhXYD
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
Hovhannisyan was fortunate to be playing at all after remarkably escaping retrospective UEFA action for throwing a water bottle at the assistant lineman last week at Hampden.
Scotland opened brightly after the break with John McGinn and Che Adams both adding decent goals. After that Lewis Ferguson joined the Celtic Bhoys, Anthony Ralston and David Turnbull in a triple substitution, but the steam had gone out of the game with Scotland well ahead playing against ten men.
John McGinn got back in the goals for Scotland this evening, and @mstewart_23 and Alan Hutton discussed how welcome it was to see him on-form 🏴
"Invariably over the last few years, he's come up with big moments." 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Vd5wrjpni1
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
The goals are flowing for Scotland now! 🏴
Che Adams adds to John McGinn's goal to make it 4-1 👏#ARMSCO | @ScotlandNT pic.twitter.com/4KECFlMmoQ
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) June 14, 2022
Late drama with another Armenian called Hovhannisyan being sent off for a terrible tackle on McTominay, the Armenian then faced up to the nearest Scotland player but unfortunately for him that was Tony Ralston. He looked relived to be saved by the referee’s red card.
It finished Armenia 1 Scotland 4 with this doing something to repair the goal difference lost in Dublin at the weekend.
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Good result, rode their luck at the back at times, commanded the game after the sending off.
Usually seem a little but rushed in attack, Scotland; there’s playing at a fast pace with precision passing, then there’s playing frantically; little bit more composure on the ball throughout the side needed.
Need a better structure when coming up against the better sides to prevent being caught so openly on the counter.
A lot of positives to be taken from the game too.