Scotland: How bizarre but glorious World Cup qualifying campaign unfolded

So far, so good as Scotland headed into October, but there was still plenty of work to do.

The message from the camp was to finish their fourth qualifier on 10 points, a realistic aim given back-to-back home games against Greece and Belarus were next up.

First was a visit from the Greeks, who had outclassed Scotland by three goals at Hampden in March to consign Clarke’s men to Nations League relegation.

They really ought to have achieved the same outcome seven months later, Kostas Tsimikas’ opener coming after an hour of total domination from the visitors.

Hampden was verging on turning toxic, but three goals from nowhere turned what looked like a certain defeat into another pivotal victory.

A rapid leveller from Ryan Christie was followed by a late winner from Lewis Ferguson, then Lyndon Dykes capitalised on a howler from the visiting goalkeeper.

Post-match, a bullish Andy Robertson was in no mood to sour the winning feeling. “If you want to complain about the performance, be my guest, crack on. We’re delighted with the three points,” the captain said.

But even after another win against Belarus, which took Scotland to their 10-point target and guaranteed them a World Cup play-off spot, there was no hiding from their display.

The Belarusians, Fifa’s 100th-ranked national team at the time, had 22 shots at Hampden, with McGinn revealing Clarke went the “wildest” he had ever seen him at half-time.

An early opener from Adams had the Scots one up until the 84th minute, when Scott McTominay buried a second, before the visitors pulled back a stoppage-time consolation.

“I have to be honest, tonight I was really, really disappointed in my team,” said Clarke, who should have been celebrating a record-breaking 72nd match in charge.