The rejuvenated Scotland fought and made their way to an undefeated eighth game with a 1-0 Nations League victory over the Czech Republic at Hampden Park
Forward Ryan Fraser led the home side in the lead in the sixth minute and could have added a second, but the skillful visitors dominated for great spells and missed a series of chances on either side of the break
Steve Clarke’s side weren’t exactly an offensive threat after half-time – although substitute Oli McBurnie hit the bar late – and they were sometimes with their backs to the wall in defense
But the home side held on to keep them ahead of Group B2 with 10 points in four games
This is Scotland’s longest unbeaten streak since 1988 when Andy Roxburgh was in charge and she offered additional encouragement ahead of the Euro 2020 play-off final in Serbia next month before concluding their League of Nations group against Slovakia and Israel away
But it was a nervous night for Clarke, who missed Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie due to Covid-19 issues with suspended skipper Andy Robertson
Midfielder John McGinn first captained Scotland with Greg Taylor, Ryan Jack and Callum McGregor returning to the squad
The Czech Republic had to face a brand new team in the 2-1 home loss to Scotland last month when their team were sent off due to coronavirus protocols
Most of their first-choice players had returned for the match but not head coach Jaroslav Silhavy who had tested positive for the virus with assistant Jiri Chytry in the technical area
Referee Felix Zwayer ruled McGregor fouled Burnley striker Matej Vydra 25 yards from goal after around 12 seconds, but goalkeeper David Marshall saved Lukas Provod’s free kick with a bit of comfort
After winger Stephen O’Donnell won the ball high up the pitch, striker Lyndon Dykes stabbed Fraser with a pass and the Newcastle player swept goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik from 14 yards for his second goal in dark blue
The Czechs remained calm and minutes later Vydra slipped between defenders Declan Gallagher and Andrew Considine to put the lead on a Provod cross with Marshall again in the right place to congregate
Scotland were released in the 23rd minute when Vydra missed the target at close range after securing the end of a delivery from Vladimir Coufal
Fraser came for almost a second flashing a 25-meter drive just past the post and then at half an hour referee Zwayer ignored Czech calls for a penalty when Considine ran into Tomas Soucek in a corner
Fraser should have hit the target at least when McGinn sent him flawless with a perfectly weighted defense division pass, but he broke the bar with his 18-yard drive
Vydra let another chance slip by four minutes after the break when his shot from a tight angle crossed the goal, and then Marshall had to block a Soucek header from a corner kick
The Czechs, unhappy with Dykes’ challenge to Coufal who apparently saw him drop a leg to win a reservation that keeps him out of next month’s game against Slovakia, move closer
Dykes was replaced by McBurnie in the 63rd minute before Kenny McLean took over from Fraser as Clarke looked for new momentum
Hibernian defender Paul Hanlon replaced Taylor to make his debut while Callum Paterson succeeded McGinn before Soucek picked up the ball over the six-yard bar – another release for the home side
McBurnie hit the 20-yard bar in a rare Scottish attack six minutes from time, but the Czechs kept pushing and Marshall made a great save from Jan Boril in extra time as the local team stood, grimly but successfully
Scottish National Football Team, UEFA Nations League, Czech Republic National Football Team, Steve Clarke, Ryan Fraser
World News – UK – Ryan Fraser takes victory As Scotland extend their unbeaten streak
