10 minutes Kaminski cuts dangerously inside from the right, but shoots straight at Gordon from the edge of the area. It’s end-to-end stuff, really exciting.

7 minutes Ben Doak, damn hell! He absolutely roasts Zalewski on the left, reaches the byline in the area and slides a low cross that is cleared. For a split second it looked like Zalewski was going to wrap him up for a penalty.

It’s not just that Scotland has found one that’s so exciting; it’s that he’s a real old-fashioned Scotsman winger.

What a great goal, scored by two of Scotland’s brightest youngsters. Gilmour fired a brilliant pass between the lines and found Doak on the edge of the area. He held his head high and laid the ball invitingly back to McGinn, who dragged an accurate first-time shot into the bottom corner with his right foot. Superb goal!

GOAL! Poland 0-1 Scotland (McGinn 3)

2 minutes Szymanski makes a very dangerous run off the ball, past the center halves, and he needs Robertson to get over and make an important challenge. Replays show that Robertson was the reason Szymanski was onside in the first place, so let’s not overdo the praise, eh.

1 min Beep beep! The competition is in full swing.

Mood music

Look, it’s dead simple: Scotland must win. They just don’t know what the price will be if they do.

Five of the Scotland XI are bookedmeaning a new booking would exclude them from the first leg of a possible relegation play-off. They are: Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, Scott McTomigol, Grant Hanley and Billy Gilmour.

Five of the Scotland XI are on yellow cards, meaning another booking would exclude them from the quarter-final if Sc– No, I can’t go there, this is getting weird.

Let’s try again.

Ben Doak’s performance on Friday evening only missed one thing.

Imagine if someone did this now. My favorite bit is the matter-of-fact way commentator Arthur Montford says, “Murray is on the ball,” as if it were as mundane as a throw-in.

Read Ewan Murray on Ben Doak

Doak has a sharp pace and a direct style that appeals to the paying gambler. What you see is what you get. Its roots in the working class are a welcome antidote to the feeling that football has become too expensive or unattractive for that group in society. Supporters can identify with Doak’s personality and approach to the game. But it is also extremely effective; Josko Gvardiol looked terrified at times in Glasgow.

Team news

The state of affairs in Group A1

1. Portugal 13 points

2. Croatia 7

3. Poland 4 (GD-6)

4. Scotland 4 (-2)

Scotland’s goal difference is superior, especially as Poland were beaten 5–1 in Portugal, but the first tiebreaker is a head-to-head record and so they are in third place. It also means they can’t top Croatia – but Scotland can if they win and Portugal beat Croatia in Split.

Wait a minute, the Nations League quarter-finals: when was that? In 2031 it will be a 32-team jamboree, mark our words.

Preamble