Moldova 0-2 Scotland: Player ratings as Steve Clarke's men secure World Cup play-off place

Scotland are through to the play-off stage of World Cup qualifying after a dominant 2-0 win over Moldova on Friday night.

Steve Clarke's men won their fifth game in a row to ensure that they will finish second in Group F, and gives them a real fighting chance of reaching their first World Cup finals since 1998.

Che Adams had the ball in the net after just three minutes after converting from Andy Robertson's cross, but was adjudged to have been offside.

The Scots were then threatened at the other end when Artur Ionita ghosted into the box unmarked, but his shot sailed just wide of Craig Gordon's far post.

Out-of-favour Norwich midfielder Billy Gilmour stung the palms of Stanislav Namasco as Clarke's men began to take ahold of the game.

Robertson slipped Stuart Armstrong in down the left channel just after the 15 minute mark to test Namasco again, and Adams was unable to get a solid contact on the rebound.

Liverpool left-back Robertson again ventured in behind but too was met by Namasco, while the Moldovan stopper had to claw Gilmour's direct corner off the line.

Despite Scotland's dominance, they needed a top save from Gordon to deny Ionita after he towered over Gilmour and headed towards goal.

But the visitors finally took the lead shortly before half-time. Nathan Patterson combined well with John McGinn on the right wing, cutting inside and finally finding a way past Namasco.

Armstrong and Gilmour had strikes blocked just after the interval, before Patterson teed up Adams for Scotland's second.

The Southampton centre forward had another goal ruled out for offside as Scotland sought to completely kill the game.

Referee Srđan Jovanović was alerted by VAR that Patterson had handled the ball in his own area and Moldova were awarded a penalty with ten minutes remaining. Vadim Rata stepped up but was denied by Gordon, and Kieran Tierney was on hand to deny the rebound.

Scotland held on to seal their passage to the play-offs. Let's tuck into some player ratings...

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Craig Gordon (GK) - 8/10 - Made a crucial save with the score at 0-0, before stopping the late penalty.

Jack Hendry (CB) - 6/10 - A bit ropey but had the recovery pace to compensate.

Liam Cooper (CB) - 5/10 - Slightly more ropey and didn't have the recovery pace to compensate.

Kieran Tierney (CB) - 6/10 - Looked rusty on his return from an ankle injury. Was at least helpful when roaming forward and got a huge challenge in to deny Moldova from the penalty rebound.

2. Midfielders

Nathan Patterson (RM) - 8/10 - Touch was a little loose at times and isn't as quick as he thinks he is, but got a goal and assist and that's what matters. Became the first Rangers player to score for Scotland in 10 years.

Billy Gilmour (CM) - 9/10 - Super display on the ball, Moldova couldn't get near him. Why he was ever tasked with marking a central area in his own box is anyone's guess.

Callum McGregor (CM) - 7/10 - Tidy but not as spectacular as his midfield partner.

Andy Robertson (LM) - 9/10 - Another dominant performance running the left flank all by himself.

3. Forwards

John McGinn (RF) - 7/10 - One of his quieter games, but obviously still contributed when it mattered.

Che Adams (CF) - 9/10 - A busy evening and was totally deserving of his goal.

Stuart Armstrong (LF) - 6/10 - Probably the weakest player going forward for Scotland, but he wasn't terrible either.

4. Substitutes

Kevin Nisbet (LF) - 5/10

Kenny McClean (CM) - N/A

Jacob Brown (CF) - N/A

David Turnbull (RF) - N/A