Scotland secured their first win of the Pocognoli era as they ran out 0-2 victors against North Macedonia, registering their first three points in the Nations League.

Pocognoli made two changes from the loss to Switzerland on Tuesday night, with Welsh and Gannon Doak replacing Hendry and Hickey.

The first half did not disappoint, as Scotland looked destined to secure their first win of the Pocognoli era.

Take a bow, Kieron Bowie! He was sacrificed last match due to the red card, but tonight he made no mistake in proving his worth. The striker opened his account for Scotland in style as he fired the Scots ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Just eight minutes into the game, Gilmour picked the ball up in the middle of the park and quickly passed it through to Bowie, who beautifully turned his defender, affording him a yard of space before his shot from 20 yards out nestled into the bottom corner. 0-1.

The Scots were given a boost and used this to their advantage as Andy Robertson nearly doubled their lead on his historic 100th cap. The full-back was bursting a gut to make the run from deep in the Scotland half to offer the switch of play, which found him wonderfully as he bore down on goal. Despite such a fabulous run, he dragged his shot inches wide of the post.

The only real chance for the Balkan side came in the 23rd minute as Ilievski had a wild shot from just inside the box.

Scotland continued to dominate on the attack, and Bowie will have been bitterly disappointed not to have scored a brace inside 30 minutes. Binks, who was more than comfortable with the ball at his feet, drove forward to the halfway line before dinking it in behind for Bowie. The striker effortlessly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and, with only the defender to beat and a whole goal to aim at, fired it straight at the defender.

The first half was what Scotland fans have been craving — a bit of fight, a show of skill and the all-important goal to lift spirits. Confidence was oozing out of Scotland as they sprayed passes around and threatened the North Macedonian goal, and they continued that form into the second half.

The Tartan Army soon joined the land of euphoria as Scotland’s fortune in front of goal prevailed in the second half.

Gannon-Doak is always dangerous for Scotland, and none more so than tonight as he tested the keeper in the 49th minute. His great driving run towards goal wasn’t rewarded, as his tame effort was an easy stop for the keeper.

The young winger was menacing again as he danced his way into the North Macedonia box and was fouled by the defender. The referee was quick to point to the penalty spot, with Tartan Army fans keen for Robertson to take the spot kick to mark his 100th appearance.

However, nobody was taking the penalty as VAR called the referee to the monitor, and he subsequently changed his mind. It was a baffling decision by the referee, as the contact appeared clear. Scotland didn’t become complacent, though, and continued to push for a second.

It must be said, the North Macedonian goalkeeper certainly kept his side in the game, however he couldn’t do much to prevent a Scotland second.

Just minutes after the hour mark, McKenna had his header bounce off the inside of the post and back out into play. It was a well-worked corner for the Scots, and McKenna was unlucky, as an inch the other way and it would have been a goal.

However, there was some dubiety surrounding this corner, as there appeared to be a handball from Miovski in the box. After a very lengthy VAR review, the referee was left with no choice but to award a penalty.

It was a second goal that had long been coming and a cushion that Scotland desperately needed. Who else but super John McGinn could have stepped up to take the penalty and end his goal drought in the 69th minute? Never in doubt from the midfielder. Cool as you like, he fired it into the corner. 0-2.

There was one slight damper on Scotland’s night as McKenna was shown a straight red card for a last-man tackle. The defender did win the ball; however, the follow-through was nasty, as Scotland were forced to play out the final 10 minutes with 10 men.

It’s the win Scotland have been craving. It’s a weight off Pocognoli’s shoulders and, hopefully, the first of many as they look to continue this form into Tuesday night when they host Slovenia at Hampden.

Match Report- Tik Tok