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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Steve Clarke reveals unspoken Scotland issue his squad have battled after Armenia win

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke says his side had to overcome tired legs to march towards their 4-1 Nations League B success over Armenia.

A slow start from the Dark Blues allowed Vahan Bichakhchyan to put the hosts into a shock lead.

But soon their discipline waned and Scotland's pressure increased, with Stuart Armstrong grabbing a double while John McGinn and Che Adams finished off the nation's scoring. Arman Hovhannisyan and Kamo Hovanisyan were both sent off for the hosts.

From four games this month, Clarke's men have put Armenia to the sword twice, but they lost 3-1 to Ukraine in a World Cup play-off semi-final while suffering a humbling 3-0 defeat to Republic Ireland in this competition.

Victory in Yerevan though ensures Scotland can still top this section ahead of facing Stephen Kenny's men again at Hampden alongside Ukraine across two matches in September.

It's been a demanding few weeks but the former Kilmarnock boss is happy with how his players have persevered.

Clarke said: "We started pretty slow. We had a lot of fatigue in the players' legs which we haven't really spoken about too much. We don't want to be seen to be making excuses.

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"But it was the and they got behind us. It was great character to come back. I thought we had control of the game before their first sending off.

"Those challenges come off us dominating possession and playing quickly.

READ MORE: Armenia 1 Scotland 4 - Steve Clarke's men return to form with Stuart Armstrong inspired win

"That's a consequence of our control. It was good the way we capitalised and the game is done at 4-1.

"It was a game we wanted to win and probably had to. It puts us in a position of going into September with a realistic chance of topping the group. That's what we wanted."

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