Strachan happy with Malta win
Robert Snodgrass scored 3 as Scotland get their first win of the Russia 2018 campaign
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan declared himself happy with his attacking options after his team kicked off their attempts to reach the World Cup finals with a 5-1 win in Malta.
Robert Snodgrass showed what Scotland missed in the Euro 2016 campaign with a hat-trick as the visitors streaked clear of their hosts in the second half.
Snodgrass had some fortune. His over-hit cross fell underneath the bar to give Scotland a 10th-minute lead, he converted a disputed penalty just after the hour mark, and tapped home a rebound after Steven Fletcher hit the bar late on.
But no-one could say he did not deserve it after working his way back from a dislocated knee over a tough 16-month period, and his willingness to get forward for the third goal again highlighted his exemplary work-rate.
Strachan said: "Him and James Forrest, it's like having new players. Pace, ability, determination. And you add the younger players who I hope have enjoyed the experience, made them stronger and better. Barrie McKay and John McGinn, they're ready, I have no problem with them."
The latter two did not feature but Strachan handed competitive debuts to 21-year-old Callum Paterson and teenager Oliver Burke, fresh from his #13million move to Leipzig. Burke was a plus for Scotland in a tight first half with his ability to take players on.
"He did things that excite you and he pushes defenders back the way,'' Strachan said. But he's only just turned 19 and I'm sure he's glad he got his first competitive international cap out the way.
"But there were a lot of other things out there - I thought Barry Bannan was excellent under pressure. Matt Ritchie excellent, Snodgrass just when the pressure was on. They were good. And Darren (Fletcher) as well, never flinched."
Strachan also sprung a surprise in his selection by giving Chris Martin the nod and the new Fulham striker converted Ritchie's superb low cross to put Scotland 2-1 up eight minutes after the break.
Steven Fletcher headed home after replacing Martin and Strachan has Leigh Griffiths to come back from injury for the double header against Lithuania and Slovakia next month.
"He scored a goal and could have had another couple," Strachan said of Martin. "He tried to stick to what we tried to do. We didn't get enough people close enough to him in the first half - in the first 20 minutes, even - but we sorted that."