SAINTS aces Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams both started for Scotland during their 2-0 Nations League win over Armenia at Hampden Park.

Midfielder Armstrong provided the assist for Anthony Ralston’s opening goal with a cross, after he had clipped the post himself on his 34th cap.

Scott McKenna also netted his first international goal to seal the win by half-time, in what is a crucial competition for the Tartan Army.

Armstrong, 30, made way for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay after 75 minutes, while 25-year-old Adams completed 87 minutes of the comfortable victory.

“It’s a tight schedule, we’ve had a week since the last game but now there’s three in a week,” Armstrong told Sky Sports after the match.

“We don’t want to think too far ahead, it’s one game at a time. Obviously it was disappointing last week so it’s now about building again in a new campaign.

“We’ve started well tonight with three points and it’s a different challenge, but we believe in ourselves to build on it.”

Although they suffered World Cup play-off heartache with defeat to Ukraine in the semi-final this week, the Nations League can help ensure they do not miss out on EURO 2024.

If Scotland fail to qualify for the Germany tournament in 2024 via the qualifying group stage path but do win their Nations League B group – with Armenia, Republic of Ireland and Ukraine – they will get a last-chance to play-off versus other group winners.

The 12 group winners in Leagues A, B and C will be selected unless they have already qualified, in which case they will be replaced by the next best-ranked team in their League.

If there are not enough non-qualified teams in the same league, then it filters down to the next league, finishing with League D.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News