Scotland closed their international fixtures for June with an easy 4-1 win against Armenia in UEFA Nations League B Group 1
It was a start head coach Steve Clarke was desperate to avoid as Tigran Barseghyan left Grant Hanley on the floor for Vahan Bichakhchyan to net early doors.
Calm was restored moments later as Stuart Armstrong restored parity during an action-packed opening 15 minutes of competition.
Arman Hovhannisyan shot his team in the foot with two bookings within 30 seconds of each other and Armstrong notched his second of the game before half-time
John McGinn, Che Adams all struck in the second half as the national team put the gloom of defeat to Republic of Ireland behind them to go second in the group, behind Ukraine on goal difference.
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Clarke and his team were in need of a boost after what had been a testing period of international fixtures.
A 3-1 World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Ukraine and a 3-0 loss to Republic of Ireland in this competition brought a gloomy mood around the national team.
Last Wednesday's 2-0 victory over this opposition was little solace and the return fixture started in the worst possible fashion for a nation needing positivity.
Despite shouts of a free-kick against Norwich City defender Hanley, he was left in the dirt by Barseghyan on the right flank and Bichakhchyan converted his cutback.
A back three of Scott McTominay, Jack Hendry and Hanley, alongside the absence of captain Andy Robertson at left-wing-back, looked far from comfortable against a side they'd swept aside with ease at Hampden.
Alas, a botched overhead kick by Che Adams provided a bizarre ray of light for Scotland as it bundled into the path of Armstrong and he finished calmly.
Armenia were by far the most threatening team though and time and time again were they getting behind Clarke's backline to test goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
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Khoren Bayramyan had it in the net from one opportunity but eventually the offside flag was raised, while Hendry had to stop their goalscorer from doubling his tally with a last-ditch block.
Things did eventually calm down and Adams tried his luck with a chipped effort before half-time while John McGinn also was trying to break free and create attacking chances.
Eventually the Armenian resistance crumbled and it did so in spectacular fashion. Hovhannisyan went into the book twice in quick succession after a rash foul on Nathan Patterson was followed by putting his head on McGinn seconds later.
Armstrong got his brace before the half was out by dancing his way in and out of his opposition's defence and planting a shot neatly in the bottom corner.
Just five minutes into the second half and the lead was doubled by captain on the night McGinn. He swivelled with the ball on his chest before blasting into the net.
Adams followed up with Scotland's fourth, another neat solo goal that saw him dart towards Armenia's defence and unleashing an unstoppable effort low and hard into their corner.
A bad challenge from Kamo Hovanisyan on Turnbull saw him handed his marching orders after an altercation with Scott McTominay and he was off along with his namesake.
It's been an international break full of highs and lows for Clarke and his team but they ensured that the taste of defeat is wiped away heading into their breaks ahead of domestic pre-seasons.
