SAINTS midfielder Stuart Armstrong helped take Scotland to within 90 minutes of a Nations League play-off spot tonight.

Armstong played 61 minutes of an emphatic 4-0 win over 10-man Albania at the Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder.

He linked play well in the middle of the field and looked a threat when joining the attack, combining well with Steven Fletcher.

His free-kick just before half-time set up the second goal as it won a penalty after being judged to have hit the hands of Rey Manaj.

Daily Echo:

Stuart Armstrong wins the penalty with his free kick

Fletcher sent Etrit Berisha the wrong way with his spot-kick.

Armstrong was given a rest with half an hour to go AFC Bournemouth star Ryan Fraser's first international goal after 14 minutes gave the visitors the lead before home skipper Mergim Mavraj was sent off six minutes later by referee Vladislav Bezborodov for a headbutt on Ryan Christie.

James Forrest grabbed a double in the second half, his first two goals for the national team, as the Scots coasted to three valuable Group C1 points.

It was clearly Scotland's night and the 2,000-plus travelling supporters were in raptures.

Berisha saved a long-distance drive from Armstrong before Bates had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.

However, the next goal arrived in 67th minute when Fraser set up Forrest for the Celtic player to skip past defender Frederic Veseli and volley in from 12 yards.

Substitute Scott McTominay, on for Armstrong, skimmed the bar with a left-footed drive in the 78th minute as Scotland dominated the bedraggled home side.

They may have had a man advantage for the majority of the match but it was a morale-boosting win for Alex McLeish's side, who moved on to six points with Israel.

A win of any kind against Israel at Hampden Park on Tuesday night will secure a play-off place for the 2020 European Championships.

Cedric Soares was left on the bench as Portugal sealed their place in the Nations League Finals after holding group rivals Italy to a goalless draw in Milan.