Scotland 1 Northern Ireland 0: Goals scarce but victory gives Gordon Strachan ideal warm-up for Gibraltar clash

The 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland with a steady but unspectacular performance has set up Gordon Strachan's side for Sunday's vital Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar at the same venue.

Christophe Berra came off the bench to head home a Matt Ritchie corner for the only goal of the game with five minutes remaining.

And Strachan will hope it takes nothing like as long to get off the mark against the Group D minnows and whipping boys this weekend.

Indeed, he anticipates the anxiety will start to flow from the stands after about three minutes if his team have not got off the mark by then.

The Scots will be on a hiding to nothing in what is confidently predicted to be a game of attackers v defenders.

Certainly, last night's friendly offered more, in terms of the need to be organised and resolute.

Mind you, the teams were not instantly recognisable, Scotland dressed in all white and Northern Ireland wearing all blue.

A few of the figures filling those shirts also required a second take before they could be identified.

Among them was Ritchie, the English-born Bournemouth winger in the squad for the first time and handed his first cap to confirm he is definitely one of us.

He did not look out of his depth, and endeared himself to the fans with his work rate and willingness to have a go for goal.

Strangely, the Irish had twice as many Scots-based players in their starting line-up than their hosts, Hamilton's Michael McGovern and Kilmarnock's Josh Magennis.

Craig Gordon was the home Bhoy as he got the nod ahead of David Marshall and Allan McGregor.

Selecting his No.1 had given Strachan a lot of food for thought, so well-furnished are we in that important position these days.

Technically, Gordon was the man in possession, having played the second half of Scotland's last international, against England in November.

And it was another important milestone in his return to the top as he was handed his 42nd cap and first start for his country since 2010.

The other decision which had troubled Strachan concerned who would skipper the side.

He got round that conundrum by selecting Darren Fletcher in midfield and Scott Brown on the bench.

But for Strachan, it is all about the collective, not any individual, and he is confident that, whoever is selected in any position or capacity, they will do their bit for the team, ably supported by all of those left on the bench.

With this as the ethos into which everyone invited to take part has had to buy, the last two years have seen steady progress from dark place into which Scotland had descended.

The belief is that this can be the time the Tartan Army are finally allowed to pack their kit bags and march on another major finals.

Ironically, this will be held in France next year, the venue for the last finals amazingly graced by the Scots 17 long and weary years ago.

But, despite the good start made to Group D, both in terms of performances and results, there is much work still to be done, starting with the game against Gibraltar on Sunday.

It will be a very different Scotland team that starts against the international new boys, who have shipped 18 goals in their opening three games in Euro 2016.

It will be expected to win, and handsomely.

So a few more goals to get them in the groove would have been appreciated last night.

Not that Northern Ireland are cannon fodder, not under Michael O'Neill, who has made them competitive again.

Nevertheless, Strachan had made it clear he wanted a win to take into this weekend's qualifier, and that needed goals.

Ikechi Anya could have provided three himself before they reached half-time.

But a combination of errant finishing and decent goalkeeping by Accies' McGovern kept him off the pocket rocket score sheet.

Steven Fletcher - looking to add to his only goal for his country, scored against Iceland six years ago - did his best to provide a point for the attack.

But he was more a fulcrum than a sharp shooter, winning the ball and knocking it on for Anya and Shaun Maloney to race onto.

Behind them, James McArthur, Fletcher and Ritchie provided a solid base from which these attacks could be launched.

The back line of Steven Whittaker, Gordon Greer, Russell Martin and Craig Forsyth dealt well with whatever got through to them.

So well, in fact, that by the time Gordon gave way to McGregor for the second half, the Celtic keeper had not made a save of any note.

The Hull City stopper enjoyed an equally un-taxing 45 minutes.

It had been agreed in advance that up to six subs could be made by either side, and Strachan committed half of his quota at the interval, with McGregor joined in the fray by Steven Naithsmith (for Maloney) and Berra (for Martin).

Naismith played further forward to form a two-man strike force with Fletcher.

And the Everton man showed why he should be a strong candidate to play against Gibralter.

Indeed, he had only been on the field five minutes when he stretched back to get his head to a cross cut back from the byline by Forsyth.

However, the effort sailed just over.

His next header, from a Ritchie corner, was even more powerful, but went straight into the keeper's arms.

When Jordan Rhodes replaced Fletcher just after the hour, another possible minnow slayer got the chance to impress.

With James Morrison on for McArthur, and Johnny Russell replacing Whittaker, the strength in depth of Strachan's squad was underlined, especially as the likes of Brown, Alan Hutton, Barry Bannan and James Forrest were still on stand by.

What Scotland need more than anything on Sunday, however, is a not a plethora of stars, but a goalscoring hero.

And, while last night's warm up was never going to be a goal-fest, the chances are the Tartan Army will like the cut of their Gib more come Sunday's qualifier.