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Scotland's Steven Fletcher (left) celebrates as Shaun Maloneys shot is deflected in for the first goal. Jeff Holmes
Winning

Scotland emulate Ireland and pick up narrow win against Georgia

The hosts missed a host of chances with strikers Steven Naismith and Steven Fletcher culpable.

A DEFLECTED SHAUN Maloney strike was enough for Scotland to see off Group D rivals Georgia 1-0 and pick up their first three points of their European Championship qualifying campaign on Saturday.

The home side, buoyed by a good performance in their narrow 2-1 defeat by world champions Germany in their opening fixture, dominated early possession at Ibrox.

However, the Scots could find no way past an organised Georgian defence until their pressure paid off in the 28th minute when Maloney’s well-drilled shot came off defender Akaki Khubutia on its way over the line.

Scotland missed a host of second half chances with strikers Steven Naismith and Steven Fletcher both shunning good opportunities to give their side some breathing space.

Irakli Dzaria fired wide on a rare foray forward by Georgia and James Morrison saw a late chance superbly saved by Giorgi Loria as Scotland picked up their fifth win in eight games.

Regular Scotland captain Darren Fletcher had found himself on the bench as one of four changes Gordon Strachan made from the narrow defeat to world champions Germany.

Scott Brown returned from injury and Fletcher was handed the task of partnering the in-form Naismith up front.

A succession of Scottish corners eventually led to the home side making the breakthrough in the 28th minute.

Maloney’s corner ping-ponged around the box before making its way back to him at the edge of the box and his rasping low shot squirmed under keeper Loria and a deflection off defender Khubutia before trundling over the line.
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With the pressure lifted, Scotland began to create more opportunities with Naismith next to try his luck from the edge of the box but his effort took a wicked deflection and went straight into the arms of Loria.

Strachan’s side should have moved further ahead moments later when a neat interchange between Maloney and Naismith released the striker in the box but the Georgian keeper was quick off his line to mop up the danger.

Brown then saw his curling shot whistle just by the post as Scotland went into the break on a high.

Scotland continued to push forward after the break and, just as it did against Germany, Ikechi Anya’s pace caused the Georgian defence problems with Murtaz Daushvili entering the referee’s book for cruelly halting his surging run.

Alan Hutton, enjoying a new lease of life at Aston Villa after two seasons in the wilderness, stampeded forward down the right before finding Naismith in the box only to see his former Rangers teammate aim a weak effort straight at the keeper.

Naismith sought to make up for his missed chance moments later as he showed good strength to barge a Georgian defender off the ball before releasing Fletcher down the left channel but the Sunderland striker’s shot was easily held by Loria.

Scotland’s striker’s torrid time in front of goal continued when Fletcher teed up Naismith for a shot with a clever back-heel but the Everton forward screwed his shot off target.

The hosts were very nearly made to paid for their wastefulness moments later when substitute Dzaria was afforded time and space for a shot inside the Scotland box but the Georgian fired just wide.

This seemed to be the wake-up call Scotland needed and only a brilliant save from Loria then denied Morrison Scotland’s second goal after Fletcher had set him up.

- © AFP, 2014

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