5 Scotland things that made us smile as McTominay and Hickey execute Clarke’s coaching masterclass

Supercharged Scotland are now full of belief ahead of their crunch Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland.

It's alright being Scottish, eh? The famous verdict from Trainspotting feels like it needs an update after a stirring night under the Hampden lights.

There was a universal belief the national team's epic display against Denmark last November was the best of the Steve Clarke era but there may well be a new clubhouse leader. That 2-0 trouncing had Mount Florida rocking en route to the World Cup playoffs but now there is a new contender jostling for top spot. Wednesday's thrilling 3-0 win over Ukraine was something truly special, Scotland were unstoppable in the second half against the team who ended their dream of reaching the showpiece in Qatar.

Seriously, it was only a matter of time before Ukraine wilted and John McGinn opened the floodgates as he used his famous backside swivel to score the opener in the 70th minute. Super-sub Lyndon Dykes followed up with a pair of perfect headers to add gloss to a thrilling night on Glasgow’s southside. Yes, the goals and chances had Hampden punters on their feet, however, they were only possible due to an incredible workrate from every player in dark blue.

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Supercharged Scotland are now full of belief ahead of their crunch Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland on Saturday night. Revenge is on the menu when Stephen Kenny's roll into town but three points would mean they only need a draw in their final game against Ukraine. It's sounds so simple, doesn't it?

It will be anything but, of course, but Record Sport looks at the best moments which has Scotland united in smiles which even a dreich morning after the night before can't wipe away.

Hickey makes chance count

The only real moment of heartache came in the first half as Nathan Patterson left the national stadium on a stretcher. The rampaging Everton right-back is in the form of his life but understudy Aaron Hickey made sure to do his team-mate proud by rising to the occasion. The versatile Brentford star has been pivotal under Thomas Frank on the right and he was incredible during his 64 minutes on the pitch. Seriously, if it wasn't intercepting telling Ukraine passes he was tirelessly overlapping for Stuart Armstrong to force jet-heeled Mykhaylo Mudryk into a defensive role.

And there was an element of settling the score for the 20-year-old who was let down by the 3-5-2 formation in the summer's World Cup qualifier when he was pinned back. But it was a different story on Wednesday, however, as Hickey showed why he is primed to star for Scotland long term if Patterson is forced on to the sidelines.

John McGinn's back side

Has a singular body part ever been more adored in Scottish football? King Kenny Dalglish was an expert at using his rear end to keep defenders at bay but the stand-in skipper is world class at throwing his weight around and leaving the opposition reeling. McGinn has been struggling for his best form at Aston Villa but he looked at his thrilling best as his rampaging runs were wreaking havoc long before he scored the opener in the 70th minute.

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Scotland were pass perfect for much of the evening, however, what separates the national team is the unpredictable element the likes of McGinn brings when he's at his rumbling best. The 28-year-old is set to earn his 50th cap for his country against Ireland and may well be the Tartan Army's most beloved star since the days of James McFadden.

Clarke judgment

The Scotland manager pulls no punches when things don't go to plan and isn't one to talk himself up when he produces a coaching masterclass. But it's ok Steve, we can do that for you. The decision to switch from his preferred 3-5-2 to a 4-2-3-1 was inspired and befuddled Oleksandr Petrakov's overmatched side. And, perhaps, the signature Nations League triumph will act as a catalyst for change when it comes to the pile-on that follows setbacks.

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The World Cup qualifying flop against Ukraine and the drubbing in Dublin rightly drew ire, however, Clarke could point to his win away to Austria, his defeat of Denmark and his side's gritty 0-0 draw with England at Euro 2020. Scotland won't always get it right but there's significant proof the right man is at the helm.

More McSauce please

Scott McTominay's nickname has a tongue in cheek element but McSauce left a sweet taste against Ukraine as he made a triumphant return to the engine room. The Manchester United man - keeping Casemiro on the sidelines at Old Trafford - has answered the call from his country as part of the backline in the three-man central defence. But that will likely be a thing of the past judging by his epic display against Ukraine. McTominay was sharp in the pass and tigerish in the tackle - as he and Celtic skipper Callum McGregor dovetailed amid the heart of the action. Billy Gilmour's time will come again, of course, but it feels like the current pair with McGinn ahead of them will be hard to displace.

The best kind of striking problem

Dykes or Che Adams? It appears there's no wrong call if Clarke sticks with one up top. The Southampton striker was brilliant and was unlucky neither of his golden chances found the net during a manic 30 seconds. He watched one crash of the crossbar before Anatoliy Trubin produced a stunning save with his left peg to keep him out straight after.

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Dykes then made his cameo count as fellow super sub Ryan Fraser teed him up with a pair of stunning crosses to head home. But what does Clarke do for the Ireland game? There appears no wrong answer when both players - and the whole squad - are in the form shown against Ukraine. A proper coin flip but Adams' tireless work rate before unleashing the Kilted Kangaroo may be the way to go again.