Gordon Strachan took charge of his first match in charge of Scotland this evening as they took on Estonia in Aberdeen.
Strachan got off to a winning start courtesy of Charlie Mulgrew's first-half strike, which was enough to seal a 1-0 win for the hosts.
Estonia pushed for an equaliser late on, but couldn't find a way past the Scotland defence as they held on.
You can read how it all unfolded with Sports Mole's live coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match between Scotland and Estonia.
Tonight's match will be Gordon Strachan's first game in charge of Scotland, a proud moment for the man who has always been particularly pleased with his Scottish roots.
No disrespect intended to Estonia, but I think it's fair to say that tonight's match isn't exactly a baptism of fire for the former Celtic boss. Let's have a look at his first team selection as Scotland manager.
Well, we already know that Scott Brown will captain the side. The Celtic man has been awarded the armband by Strachan in his first match and will be keen to impress so that he can hold on to it.
Other than that, Scotland also name Premier League players such as Charlie Adam, Steven Naismith and Steven Fletcher in their starting XI.
SCOTLAND STARTING XI: McGregor; Hutton, Mulgrew, Berra, Webster; Adam, Maloney, Brown, Burke; Naismith, Fletcher
The strikeforce of Naismith and Fletcher will be looking to fill their boots tonight. Neither have a particularly impressive record on the international stage, scoring just three goals in 29 matches between them.
The pair are in good company when it comes to underwhelming scoring records for their country. Only Kenny Miller has reached double figures for Scotland out of the current crop, netting 17 times. The next highest scorer is Jordan Rhodes with three!
It is also a fairly inexperienced side for Scotland. Kenny Miller is by far the most experienced having won 65 caps, with the next highest being captain Brown, who has made 29 appearances for his country.
The same cannot be said for the Estonia squad. They may not be very well known to most people, so let's have an in-depth look at what they will have to offer tonight, shall we?
Well, in terms of experienced sides, there aren't many that have more than Estonia. They boast a centurion Andres Oper (130 caps) as well as Enar Jaager, who has 90 caps to his name at the tender age of 28.
Oper has also found the net 38 times for Estonia, while Konstantin Vassiljev provides a goalscoring threat from midfield having scored 15 goals in 58 matches.
I'm sure Gordon Strachan has done plenty of research into each member of the Estonia squad, but one player he may not have had to do as much research on is Henrik Ojamaa, who plays his club football with Motherwell. He has scored two goals in 23 games so far this season.
Estonia are currently ranked 83rd in the FIFA rankings having lost four of their last six games, including a 2-1 loss to the UAE in their last outing.
Scotland, on the other hand, won their last match, beating Luxembourg 2-1, but had gone four matches without a win before that - including a loss against Wales, who are just one place above Estonia in the FIFA rankings.
Neither side is doing very well in their bids to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil either. Estonia sit fifth in their group, with a 1-0 win over Andorra providing their only points so far, while Scotland have gone one worse and sit bottom of their qualification group without a win.
We know by now that tonight is Gordon Strachan's first match in charge of Scotland, but let's have a look at the wee Scot's previous accolades.
Strachan had a glittering playing career, playing for the likes of Aberdeen, Manchester United and Gordon Strachan, as well as winning 50 caps in a golden era for Scotland, scoring five times.
With Aberdeen he won the Scottish Premier Division and the Cup Winners' Cup, before moving to England and winning an FA Cup and a First Division title.
He has also managed the likes of Coventry, Southampton and Middlesbrough, but its best remembered for his four-year stint in charge of Celtic, during which time he won three consecutive SPL title as well as a Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup.
Scotland have the upper hand when it comes to historical meetings between these two sides - Estonia have never beaten the Tartan Army in any of the seven matches between the two.
Scotland have won five of the meetings, with two draws coming in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Scotland so, however, have a 100% record against Estonia in Scotland.
These two haven't met since 2004, however. Scotland triumphed on that occasion, beating tonight's opponents 1-0 in a friendly.
It will be interesting to see whether there are major differences between Strachan's tactics and that of former manager Craig Levein. Levein was a very reserved manager who tended to have a main priority of not getting beaten, while Strachan is more likely to go out and try and win games, particularly against teams below them in the FIFA rankings.
Gordon Strachan on his pre-match feelings: "I'm nervous. I don't know where this has come from but I guess that's what happens when you're manager of your country. It's something you didn't realise you were looking forward to but now I'm here I realise I have been looking forward to this for years."
It's time for a prediction! Neither side contain world-class quality, but looking at each player individually Scotland should really have enough to win this one. I'm going to go for a 2-0 win and a good start to the Strachan era.
Both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of this one. Scottish football is in the doldrums at the moment and another defeat here would be really deflating. A good win and good performance, coupled with the new era under Strachan, could provide a welcome morale boost.
Both sides are given a rapturous reception, as is Gordon Strachan. Scott Brown leads the national side out for the first time.
The camera pans across the Estonian side as they sheepishly sing their national anthem. Let's hope that they're better at playing football than they are at singing! The fans are giving it their all, though.
The Scottish one doesn't go much better. The fans are almost a whole verse ahead of the singer by the end of the song!
All of the home nations are in action today, with the standout fixture being between Brazil and England. I'll keep you updated with the major events from around the world.
Scotland get the match, and the Strachan era, underway.
Estonia also have Kink in their side, who will be familiar with Strachan. The new Scotland boss signed him while at Middlesbrough.
Early corner for Scotland as Naismith feeds Chris Burke, who in turn plays in Hutton, but his cross is cleared behind. What can Scotland do with this one?
CHANCE! It should go straight into the hands of Parieko, but he chooses to punch it instead. The ball is worked back in to Maloney, who goes for goal on the turn only to be denied by the Estonia keeper.
CHANCE! Hutton's ball behind the defence is met by Burke, who cuts inside before seeing his shot blocked. He gets it back, however, and tees up Adam, whose long-range effort deflects out for a corner.
Adam has a free kick from a long way out on the right side of the pitch, but his effort on goal is a long way wide and over.
It has been all Scotland in the opening stages, with Burke in particular looking lively. The pitch seems a bit heavy, and the ball is travelling slowly when played along the floor.
SHOT! Teniste lets fly from around 30 yards out and suddenly McGregor is scampering acorss goal to meet it. He gets a fingertip to it to concede a corner. I don't think it was going in but it was a fine effort out of nothing from the Estonia left back.
From the resulting corner Oper gets a knock and stay down. He should be able to continue. What a servant he has been for Estonia - he is their record goalscorer and has been playing for his country for 18 years.
The visitors aren't pressing Scotland high up the field, they seem more than happy for their hosts to have the ball in their own half. So far Scotland have had 80% possession. It's just like watching Barcelona... in a way.
UPDATE! There has been a goal at Wembley - England lead Brazil! Ronaldinho has already missed a penalty, and Rooney has now made it 1-0 to the hosts.
Scott Brown raises the fans' hopes slightly as he pounces on to a loose ball in the centre of midfield, but his pass to Burke is too heavy.
Fletcher takes the ball brilliantly on the turn, leaving his man for dead. He is the only Scotland player in the Estonia half, however, so has to wait for help and is eventually crowded out.
CHANCE! Burke does very well to make space for a cross down the right, and Fletcher is on the end of it. He has to create all the power on his header himself, and does so well, but he just couldn't keep it down. That's better from Scotland.
SAVE! Maloney picks up the ball and races through the gears, cutting inside and getting a shot in at goal, but Pareiko gets down well to parry it away.
UPDATE! Wales have taken the lead in their match against Austria and there are no prizes for guessing who scored. Gareth Bale, of course.
There have been a number of free kicks so far, and Scotland have another about 35 yards from goal here. Surely too far to go for goal, but a good crossing chance.
Mulgrew's ball in is half-cleared only as far as Burke, but Estonia eventually win it back and launch a counter attack, which is stopped in its tracks by Hutton.
CLOSE! This Teniste has a good strike on him! After his earlier effort that McGregor had to tip over he is afforded acres of space after a corner is cleared, and goes for goal from even further out. McGregor is worried again, and the effort is not far away at all. Another good strike.
More good wing play from Burke sees him beat Teniste - who is having a worse game defensively than he as in attack - before standing a ball up towards Naismith, but the Everton man has made his move too early and can't get on the end of it.
CHANCE! Glorious chance for Estonia. A beautiful dink over the top that Xavi would be proud of sets Kink through on goal, but he always seems to have one eye on the onrushing McGregor, whoe saves from the eventual effort. If he was a tad braver there it could've been 1-0.
The visitors are just starting to edge their way back into this one. They've had a few more forays forward than usual in the last few minutes.
UPDATE! The Reupblic of Ireland take the lead against Poland just as Northern Ireland's match against Malta finishes 0-0.
Meanwhile, Maloney's quick feet draw a fould from Morosov, and Scotland have another free kick in a good position.
GOAL! Scotland 1-0 Estonia (Charlie Mulgrew)
Charlie Adam is forced to wait an age to take the free kick, but when he does it is straight off the training ground. It's all too simple, though, as he just passes it to Mulgrew who keeps his shot down and fires it in having peeled off his man. The Strachen era is underway!
That was Mulgrew's first ever Scotland goal - which puts him joint fourth on the highest scorers list in the current squad!
CLOSE! Hutton looks to be shaping up a cross towards Fletcher, but miscues it and it goes towards goal instead. It almost creeps in, too, as Pareiko is forced to scramble across and turn it wide at his near post.
CHANCE! Pareiko looks really suspect under the high ball. He comes for another corner and completely misses it, allowing Berra to get a header in. The defender should do better with his effort, though, only succeeding in nodding it wide.
This first half has been punctuated by a lot of fouls - Estonia have made about 14 already!
Just the one minute of added time here.
HALF TIME: Scotland 1-0 Estonia
The referee draws the first half to a close and it's been a successful one as far as Scotland are concerned: they lead Estonia 1-0.
For the neutral it hasn't exactly been a thriller, however. Burke has been the brightest spark on the field, always looking to take on his man and usually beating him. The game has struggled to get into any sort of rhythm due to the high foul count and partly to do with the pitch, which is not in the best shape.
I'm sure Strachan won't care about the feelings of the neutrals, though! These two could play out the most broing half of football ever seen over the next 45 minutes and I'm sure he'll be happy with a 1-0 win. Getting over the hurdle of a first win as an international boss is a big challenge and a monkey you need to get off your back as soon as possible.
There is a chance that we will see a few changes at half time here, particularly with the Celtic players, who have a huge match against Juventus coming up in the near future.
UPDATE! Brazil have equalised at Wembley, Fred pouncing on a Gary Cahill mistake to make it 1-1.
Estonia will be positive about theior chances in the second half. They haven't exactly set the world alight so far, but they were starting to come into the match more towards the end of the half. Kink had a very good chance which he probably should've scored, so Scotland will be aware that this one is not over yet.
It will be interesting to see their gameplan in the coming 45 minutes. Do they go for an equaliser? They have nothing to lose so perhaps they will.
No surprises that there are some changes at the break. Rhodes and Snodgrass come on for Burke and Maloney, who were the two best players during the first half.
We're back underway here.
Estonia have made a bright start to the half. They also made a change at the break, bringing on Jarmo Ahjupera for record goalscorer Omer.
UPDATE: England have retaken the lead against Brazil, and it is Frank Lampard who has got the goal.
YELLOW CARD! Estonia finally get a yellow card for persistent fouling. Morosov is the man to get it, bundling over Rhodes. Not a bad tackle really but the straw that broke the camel's back.
CHANCE! Naimsith slips Snodgrass in inside the box and the Norwich man takes it in his stride. Teniste is in close attendance, though, and just does enough to prevent Snodgrass from getting any meaningful contact on his strike.
UPDATE: Wales have doubled their lead against Austria, this time Sam Vokes getting on the scoresheet.
Adam hangs a cross into the box and it is flicked on to Mulgrew, who tries a backheel flick to turn it towards goal, but it goes high into the air and easily into the arms of Pareiko.
YELLOW CARD! Tarmo Kink becomes the second name in the referee's notebook. This one is for dissent, I think.
CHANCE! Very good play from Rhodes. A long, hopeful ball reached the Blackburn man, and he takes it down on his chest before spinning off and firing goalwards, but it goes wide and over.
ESTONIA SUBS: Double change for Estonia sees Luts and Purje come on for the visitors.
CHANCE! There's an opening for Estonia as Ojamaa is fed inside the box, but he is forced out wide and the chance fizzles out.
SCOTLAND SUBS: Adam and Brown go off for James McArthur and James Morrison.
CLOSE! Naismith picks up the ball 25 yards from goal and immediately looks for the shot. His effort is good, but flies just over the bar with the keeper nowhere near it.
Scotland have a free kick in a shooting position after another foul from Morozov on Fletcher. Mulgrew goes for goal but it is not threatening the Estonian keeper as it flies harmlessly over the bar.
SCOTLAND SUB: On comes the experienced Kenny Miller in place of Fletcher. Can he add to his 17-goal tally?
Estonia have a free kick in a very promising position as McArthur brings down Purje. Can they make anything of this?
No. Vassiljev fired it in but I don't know whether that was a shot or a cross and it is comfortable for McGregor.
SAVE! A long ball upfield is nodded down by Kenny Miller into the path of Mulgrew, who shows superb technique to fire a powerful first-time strike goalwards, but Pareiko tips it over.
ESTONIA SUB: Off goes Motherwell's Ojamaa to be replaced by Gert Kams.
A ball slid down the channel is dummied by Luts, but Teniste doesn't read it and the ball goes out for a goal kick. Strange decision from Luts to dummy that one as he was in a good position.
SCOTLAND SUB: Another sub, Scotland's last allotted one you'll be glad to hear. Chris Commons replaces Naismith.
UPDATE: Austria have pulled a goal back against Wales, it is now 2-1.
Another foul from Morozov gives Scotland another shooting opportunity from 25 yards out. Snodgrass is standing over this free kick...
...but his effort curls some way over the bar.
UPDATE: Ireland have doubled their lead against Poland, Wes Hoolahan getting the goal.
Estonia have just cranked up the pressure a notch in the last couple of minutes. They have 10 minutes to try and find an equaliser.
Half chance for Rhodes as he loses his man and beats the offside trap, but he just can't bring the ball under his control quickly enough and is crowded out. He usually punishes teams if he is given a couple of yards.
CHANCE! Vassiljev floats a ball into the box that Berra can't deal with. His attempted clearance is met on the volley by Kams, but he fluffs his shot wide of the mark. Should've done better there.
Estonia are actually knocking the ball about quite nicely now. They string together a few passes, including two sweeping balls across the pitch, but can't create a chance. Scotland are playing for the 1-0 win now.
A brief heart-in-mouth moment for McGregor as he overhits a pass straight to an Estonian player while out of position, but the visitor doesn't go for the spectacular strike from distance and the attack breaks down.
Another half chance for Rhodes after Miller and Mulgrew linked up down the right. Miller cut the ball back for Rhodes, who just tries to control it before shooting, but his first touch lets him down and the ball gets away from him.
We will have three minutes of added time.
Commons latches on to a Rhodes knock down, but his subsquent shot is poor and goes a long, long way over the bar.
Free kick to Estonia deep in their own half. A final chance for them to launch an attack perhaps?
FULL TIME: Scotland 1-0 Estonia
There you have it! Gordon Strachan gets off to a winning start as Scotland manager as they record a narrow 1-0 win over Estonia. It was not a classic by any means, but Strachan won't care.
It was Charlie Mulgrew who got the only goal of the game, latching on to a Charlie Adam pass from a free kick in the first half. A move straight off the training ground.
Estonia enjoyed their best spell of the match in the closing stages as they pushed for an equaliser but only really had two clear sights of goal throughout.
Right, that's it from me tonight! Thank you for joining Sports Mole on a night that saw Gordon Strachan picked up a deserved win in his first game in charge of Scotland. I will leave you with Liam Power's match report, and be sure to stay around for the analysis which will be on site within half an hour. Good night!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
