Scotland kept their heads to down a sorry Georgia side 2-0 at Hampden Park on Tuesday evening.
Heavy rainfall saw the game in jeopardy, but a start occurred regardless; and even seconds into the tie, it was a recipe for disaster. The ball was sticking, players were unable to dribble, never mind pass the ball - but when Scotland gained a corner in the sixth minute, Callum McGregor blasted home to put the Tartan Army 1-0 up.
A VAR check soon followed for the officials to deliberate with players over the conditions, which could have seen it called off. But despite both teams being hauled off and Georgia refusing to walk back out, and with the game resuming exactly an hour after the goal, play resumed.
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Former Hibs man John McGinn and Scott McTominay tested a tired Georgia defence, and with the second half only beginning at 10:30pm, nerves and restlessness needed putting to bed. Step forward McTominay; he followed up on his Hampden heroics of late, notching a just seconds into the second half to put Scotland with half a foot on the plane to Germany for next summer with a well-taken finish.
Steve Clarke knows that, realistically, his team only need one more win to qualify - and spirits are high throughout the nation. Edinburgh Live takes a look at three talking points on a busy night at Hampden.
Hot like Hickey
The former Hearts man was outstanding tonight. Long has he been overlooked given the natural quality of Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson, Josh Doig, Nathan Patterson - the list goes on. But he has the ability to play inverted from both flanks, and his ambidextrousness is something to be admired.
His smart flicks, close control and general awareness of the game looks to have secured himself that right-back slot for some time to come, make no mistake. It's a welcome change from the usual meddling area of concern that we have all seen at right-back in recent seasons.
Oh, and he kept Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quiet. Not many have done that this season, including Champions League-standard full-backs.
McTominay the man
He just does not stop scoring, does he? Scott McTominay has added to his Hampden hot spell with another goal tonight, and for some smart keeping at the end of the first half, it would've been a third brace in three games at the national stadium.
With a midfield that boasts John McGinn, Callum McGregor, Billy Gilmour and himself, it's a mark-up as to just how well stocked Scotland are at the moment. The Tartan Army are flying, and it's no surprise.
Add that to the fact that they are all playing under exceptionally tactical managers including Unai Emery, Brendan Rodgers, Roberto De Zerbi and Erik Ten Hag (and Ange Postecoglou for McGregor's past two seasons), and it is no surprise Scotland are so efficient in the middle of the park. McTominay may be the biggest beneficiary of them all.
Kvaradona? Who?
Khvicha Kravatskhelia has emerged as a player who has scared the living daylights out of everybody in Europe. Serie A winner with Napoli, Champions League semi-finalist and one of the most coveted talents in the world - Aaron Hickey had every right to be scared.
But he did absolutely nothing. the conditions may not have been to his liking of course, but it was raining for both teams and Georgia didn't even attempt to play to his strengths.
A late penalty gave him the chance to reprieve himself somewhat, but he ballooned it. We've all kept an eye on the weather tonight - forecasts of penalties due to hit Falkirk next week, perhaps.
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