Scotland got Sébastien Pocognoli off the mark with victory in North Macedonia, a Nations League B1 fixture they dare not stumble in. Kieron Bowie smashed home a seventh-minute opener, giving the new manager his first goal, and the Belgian’s maiden win was confirmed later. Against a North Macedonia team with troubles to seek, anything other than a Scotland victory would have been a significant embarrassment.
Bowie’s inclusion was a show of faith. Jack Hendry’s early red card in Tuesday’s loss to Switzerland had led to Bowie being withdrawn from the Scotland attack, but Pocognoli retained him in Skopje. Bowie had plenty to do when he collected Billy Gilmour’s pass 25 yards from goal with two defenders in close proximity. He set himself before firing a terrific left-foot shot beyond the helpless Stole Dimitrievski. It came on the occasion of Andy Robertson’s 100th cap, and Robertson had started forcefully, forcing Dimitrievski into a fine save inside five minutes. John McGinn, like Robertson the subject of recent criticism, responded forcefully too.
Scotland should have been further ahead. McGinn’s outrageous pass from the right-back position to Robertson, operating as a left winger, should have ensured a second goal, but Robertson shot wide when a square pass to Oli McBurnie was the more sensible option. Ben Gannon-Doak and Bowie also missed opportunities, and North Macedonia made two substitutions with just half an hour played. Scotland’s lack of ruthlessness was their only concern.
Gannon-Doak was clean through on Dimitrievski within five minutes of the restart but shot tamely at the goalkeeper. Scotland then believed they had won a penalty, only for the video assistant referee to rightly highlight that the Bournemouth player had stood on the foot of Matej Gashtarov rather than the other way around. North Macedonia were clinging on as Bowie tested Dimitrievski from close range.
Officialdom soon smiled on Scotland. The referee had originally given a foul against Scott McKenna as the centre-back nodded the ball down towards Bowie from a Scotland corner. That decision was reversed, and Bojan Miovski was penalised for blocking Bowie’s shot with an arm. McGinn finished the penalty low and hard to close the game as a contest. Only three players have scored more goals for Scotland than the Aston Villa midfielder, and he was denied a second in stoppage time.
Ryan Christie’s arrival at half-time added composure and creativity to the Scotland midfield. Christie looks the ideal candidate to link play in Pocognoli’s final third, and it will be a surprise if he does not start when Slovenia visit Glasgow on Tuesday. Angus Gunn, whose position as Scotland goalkeeper had been questioned before this game, had nothing whatsoever of consequence to do.
McKenna will miss Slovenia’s visit after upending Agon Elezi six minutes from time. The episode was regarded as the denial of an obvious scoring opportunity, and Robertson’s slack pass had landed his teammate in bother. Robertson later admitted he owes McKenna an apology before reflecting on his cap milestone. “It means everything to me and my family,” said the 32-year-old. “It has been an unbelievable journey. It is emotional for me because I love this country and this is a special achievement. I believe I still have a lot to give.”
Handily for Pocognoli, Scotland did not need 11 men to win. North Macedonia, who have now gone seven games without scoring a goal, are a desperate lot. Scotland remain alive and kicking in section B1 of the Nations League while aware they will face far stiffer challenges, and they met the task of being professional in North Macedonia appropriately.