Steve Clarke hopes Scotland win sparks long unbeaten run as Anthony Ralston earns gaffer praise
The national team boss piled praise on opening scorer Anthony Ralston who marked his first start with a goal.
Steve Clarke hopes Scotland ’s stroll against Armenia can be the start of another long unbeaten run.
The national team boss was delighted with the response of his side as Anthony Ralston and Scott McKenna grabbed the goals that saw them bounce back from the painful World Cup play-off loss against Ukraine.
Scotland had gone into that match on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run - six of which were victories.
And now Clarke - who celebrated the Nations League win on the third anniversary of his appointment - wants a similar sequence ahead of Saturday’s trip to face the Republic of Ireland.
He told Premier Sports: “It helps us move on and hopefully we can go on another long unbeaten run.
“It was important to get back to winning ways and start the next winning run - and hopefully that was tonight.
“We had nearly 40,000 fans. Everyone suffered last week and it’s great to have everyone back in, they can go home with a smile on their face and hopefully we can go on a long unbeaten run again.”
Ralston marked his first start by grabbing the opener and Clarke was delighted with the Celtic full back.
He said: “He’s got good energy, gets forward. You see Anthony playing week in, week out with Celtic who dominate the ball against teams who sit in and defend.
“We knew Armenia would sit in and defend so it was probably a game Anthony is used to taking part in and it was great for him to get on the end of a good Stuart Armstrong cross.
“It wasn't a bad way to mark your first start - your first goal.”