There’s just under a week to go until Scotland travel to Tbilisi to take on Georgia in their seventh Euro Qualification Group D fixture.
Gordon’s side will be hoping for a similar outcome to last October’s 1-0 win at Ibrox – Shaun Maloney’s deflected effort proving the difference in a game that Scotland largely dominated. Here’s the story from that day:
THE BUILD UP
After an agonising 2-1 defeat to World Champions Germany in their opening Group D fixture, Scotland had the chance to claim their first points of the campaign against Georgia. With Hampden still out of action Ibrox Stadium welcomed the National Team for the first time since 1999. The Georgians had also suffered a narrow loss in their opener against the Republic of Ireland and would arrive in Glasgow eager to make amends.
THE MATCH
Scotland: Gordon; Hutton, Martin, Hanley, Robertson; Brown, Morrison; Maloney, Naismith (McArthur 80), Anya; Fletcher (Martin 90). Subs not used: Gordon (GK), Gilks (GK), Reynolds, Whittaker, Bannan, Greer, Burke, D. Fletcher, Dorrans, C. Martin
There was an urgent start from Scotland with some early runs from fullbacks Andrew Robertson and Alan Hutton unsettling the Georgian defence.
With dark blue shirts swarming the opposition box there was little surprise when Scotland took the lead on 28 minutes. A powerful shot from Shaun Maloney was saved but rebounded off Akaki Khubutia and into the net, to the jubilation of the Scotland fans.
Chances for Scott Brown, Steven Naismith and James Morrison soon followed but the home side couldn’t add to their lead. A tense final period saw Georgia push forward but Scotland held tight to claim their first points in Group D.
Full-time - Scotland 1 – 0 Georgia – Khubatia (og) 28’
AFTERMATH
The win immediately moved Scotland up into joint third with Germany, who had suffered a surprise defeat in Poland.
GROUP D
Pld W D L Pts
Poland 2 2 0 0 6
Republic of Ireland 2 2 0 0 6
Scotland 2 1 0 1 3
Germany 2 1 0 1 3
Georgia 2 0 0 2 0
Gibraltar 2 0 0 2 0
WHAT THEY SAID…
"That's the best hour that we've had as a football team since I've been here. I didn't know the players could play that type of free-flowing football, with such ease, and break down a good side."
Gordon Strachan
“The first half we played brilliantly; pressed them right back and created all the chances. We knew if we could keep the clean sheet we’d be in with a shout. I thought the boys at the back done a professional job.”
Steven Naismith