Adams finishes off Gibraltar as Scotland labour to Euro 2024 warm-up win

In October 2015, a Scotland team that had failed to qualify for the following summer’s European Championships was cheered from the rooftops at Estádio Algarve as Gibraltar were seen off 6-0. Gordon Strachan, buoyed by this giddy scene, opted to stay on for another campaign, which Scotland botched as well. Looking back, celebration despite these unsuccessful attempts to reach finals feels cringeworthy. Serious teams revelled in achievement.

Scotland’s return to the outskirts of Faro came in altogether different circumstances. The Tartan Army did not bother travelling to Portugal en masse. They have much bigger fish to fry. A week on Friday, Steve Clarke’s men will kick off Euro 2024 with a clash against Germany, the tournament hosts. Scotland wanted to rattle home a few goals against Gibraltar, afford some much-needed minutes to fringe players and continue with preparations for the more serious business.

Clarke has lost five squad members to injury; Scotland can ill-afford further fitness woes. Liam Cooper limping from the fray 12 minutes before full time will concern his manager. Otherwise, this proved a low-key means to an end. Clarke did not leave his seat for the entire 90 minutes.

Scotland were functional rather than flashy. Even the deployment of an unfamiliar back four – Clarke favours a five – meant there was little to learn. Friday’s visit of Finland to Hampden Park will surely prove more insightful. There, Scotland’s support will afford the players the tournament send-off they fully deserve.

Reaching half-time scoreless was hardly relevant in big-picture terms, but it still represented a minor embarrassment for the Scots. France trounced Gibraltar 14-0 in November. There are legitimate questions about Scotland’s ability to break down packed defences. Germany will not provide one but Group A’s other teams, Hungary and Switzerland, will have taken notice.

Ryan Christie’s breaking of the deadlock raised Scottish spirits. Clarke’s men were on their way to ending a run of seven matches without victory. Ché Adams added gloss to the scoreline with a ferocious finish.

Scotland had dominated the first half but lacked punch in attack. With a little more conviction, the centre-back Grant Hanley would have celebrated a hat-trick. Christie was the first to test the debutant Jaylan Hankins in the Gibraltar goal. From the subsequent corner, Hanley’s header cleared the crossbar.

James Forrest should have scored from an Andy Robertson cutback but fluffed his lines. Christie volleyed over, Kenny McLean missed with a header and Ryan Porteous could not convert the rebound after Hankins blocked Hanley’s attempt.

Hanley’s opportunity four minutes before the interval was the best of the lot, but again the Scots were frustrated. In reply, Gibraltar had just one tame shot. An upset never felt at all in the offing, it was simply that Scotland had to do much more with their dominance.

Clarke resisted any temptation to implement wholesale changes at the interval. Cooper replaced Hanley and that was that. The second period was played against the background yapping of the groundsman’s dog, which made its presence felt from the main stand. Christie showed his pedigree as he lashed high into the net, Gibraltar having failed to deal with a Robertson cross. Christie is in line to win his 50th cap when Scotland take on Germany in Munich.

Cooper’s departure was the most notable aspect of what happened next. A significant injury could hardly come at a worse juncture, given the centre-back is out of contract at – and expected to leave – Leeds United later this month. It would give Clarke another headache he could do without.

Adams, who will surely lead the Scotland line against Germany, ensured the scoreboard more accurately reflected the direction of traffic. John McGinn was the creator before Adams lashed home a fine, angled volley. It proved a marquee ending to a game that will not linger long in the memory of anybody who attended. That was rather Scotland’s point. They are one small step closer to Germany.