Che Adams fired Scotland to a final Euro 2020 warm-up win against 10-man Luxembourg to send the nation into their first major finals in 23 years on a high.
The Southampton striker netted in the first half and Steve Clarke can now fully focus on their huge Euro 2020 Group D opener against Czech Republic.
Clarke’s only complaint would have been that they didn’t score more and that Billy Gilmour was forced off following a crude challenge that should have seen the hosts further reduced after a first half red card.
Scotland passed up plenty of chances against the side ranked 96th in the world and can’t afford to be as sloppy in front of goal when the real action gets underway.
David Marshall, John McGinn, Scott McTominay and Adams all returned to the starting XI in a line-up that could be close to the one that runs out at Hampden on June 14.
Scotland had never lost in four previous meetings - winning all but a scoreless draw in 1987 - against Luxembourg.
But the minnows have taken huge strides in recent years both at club and International level and recently earned a shock World Cup qualifying win away to the Republic of Ireland.
While obviously not in the same class as midweek opponents Holland, it was a stiff enough test for the final 90 minutes before that mammoth Group D opener against Czech Republic.
And that was shown inside the first 10 minutes when Marshall pulled off a brilliant save, getting down low to his left to claw the ball away and prevent a Grant Hanley own goal after poor defensive play at the home side’s corner.
It was an early warning signing for Scotland but they responded and were the width of the post away from taking the lead when Andy Robertson whipped in a great ball for Lyndon Dykes who got between two defenders but his header crashed back off the upright.
Dykes was then at the heart of the move that saw Scotland open the scoring just before the hour mark with a great driving run from the QPR man before he slipped the ball to strike partner Adams and he kept his composure to slot the ball under the keeper.
The front two linked well and Adams then released Dykes who outpaced Vahid Selimovic and when the OFI Crete defender pulled the striker back the referee had no option but to show him the red card.
Scott McTominay sent the resulting free kick just over but with the man advantage it was the perfect position for Scotland who were in complete control even before the sending off.
Billy Gilmour and Scott McKenna were introduced at the break and the former showed why there is such a clamour for him to start when the Chelsea midfielder showed great positivity with a driving run and shot touched wide.
Dykes then had a goal ruled out for handball while Gilmour had another effort saved as he really looked to grab his big chance with his shot coming after the ball broke from a John McGinn saved shot.
Gilmour looked really lively but he was floored by a shocking challenge from Olivier Thill and Clarke took no chances with the Chelsea starlet taken off for his own sake.
Scotland should have scored more and Dykes and McTominay both send headers wide - and Clarke will be hoping the goals are being saved for the big one against Czech Republic.
Here’s three talking points from the Josy Barthel Stadium:
Scotland all right on the left
It’s no secret that Scotland are blessed with world class talent down the left and Steve Clarke’s biggest problem when he took the job was solving the Andy Robertson -Kieran Tierney conundrum.
And Clarke has managed to do that with his three at the back formation and it was evident here just how much they give to Scotland down that flank.
All of Scotland’s good play, particularly in the first half, was on that side as Robertson and Tierney took it turns to deliver dangerous crosses.
Robertson crossed for Lyndon Dykes to head off the post and Tierney had his fair share of deliveries as they were a constant threat.
But Clarke won’t want to be too reliant on the left side and Scotland need to offer a threat on the right as well where Stephen O’Donnell didn’t get much of a chance to show what he can do.
O’Donnell has shown he can also whip in a great ball - he crossed for a disallowed Dykes goal but it was rarer here - while Nathan Patterson is also an option after he came on for his debut.
Twin striker threat
The side that took the field against Luxembourg will be pretty much the starting XI for the Group D opener but there are some decisions for Steve Clarke to make.
One of the big questions is whether he will start with two on attack and there was plenty evidence here to suggest he should.
Che Adams opened the scoring and it was Lyndon Dykes who set him up while it was role reversal for the move which saw Luxembourg reduced to 10 men as the QPR man was brought down after a lovely through ball from Adams.
Adams has only played four games for his country but appears to have developed a good early understanding with Dykes but there is an argument to play Ryan Christie, Ryan Fraser or John McGinn, who moved up for the latter stages, as a support-striker.
Unhappy Gilmour
There has been a clamour for Steve Clarke to be bold and throw Billy Gilmour into his starting XI and his performance here will only increase that in his half hour before he was forced off.
The Chelsea midfielder was introduced at the break and he was so positive whenever he got the ball, having a pop at goal twice.
And it was such a cruel way for his involvement to end after the Tartan teen was on the end of a shocker of a challenge which should have seen substitute Olivier Thill shown a red.
Clarke and his medical team didn’t want to take any chances and Gilmour, much to his frustration, was taken off with James Forrest thrown on.
