While Scotland didn’t manage to win in Copenhagen for the first time in 50 years on Friday, the goalless draw which Steve Clarke’s side dug out was still a positive start in their quest to reach next summer’s World Cup.
Defensively resolute, the visitors succeeded in fashioning more chances than the hosts and might well have left the capital with all three points if they’d been sharper in front of goal.
Nonetheless, a draw away from home against the top-ranked side in the group was an outcome which every member of the Tartan Army would gladly have taken before a ball was kicked.
If Clarke’s side can see off section outsiders Belarus – defeated 5-1 in Greece in their opener – in Hungary on Monday, they’ll be in an extremely promising position with a third of a truncated campaign complete.
Here, Daily Mail Sport assesses the main takeaways from Copenhagen after a night which reminded us of what this group of players are capable of.
Defensive familiarity breeds contentment
The manager would not have been human if he hadn’t been tempted to usher in a new central partnership at the outset of a new campaign.
Grant Hanley will turn 34 in November. There’s been a question mark over his selection ever since he came into the side. Having been freed by Birmingham, he wasn’t playing football prior to signing for Hibs.
By contrast, Scott McKenna, still only 28, has been playing each week since signing for Dinamo Zagreb.
Yet Clarke’s decision to stand by Hanley and John Souttar was vindicated. The pair defended their box like their lives depended on it, winning headers and making vital blocks.
Hanley may be the elder statesman of the squad, but he’s in the side on merit. Displays like the one he produced will give Scotland a platform to win any game.
Andy Robertson also gave one of his most complete displays in a Scotland jersey. Even if Kieran Tierney returns next month, there will be no sense in Clarke deviating from a flat back-four.
Gunn no worse for a summer of uncertainty
The last time we’d seen Angus Gunn in a Scotland jersey – or any jersey for that matter - he was being carried off in the early minutes of the home defeat to Iceland in June after falling awkwardly.
It proved to be the start of an extremely difficult period in the goalkeeper’s career.
Released by Norwich after four years, the 29-year-old trained with the PFA’s free agent squad as he sought the next move. West Brom cast their eye over him but didn’t offer him a contract.
Gunn eventually signed a one-year deal with Nottingham Forest. He’s still to taste a minute of first-team action.
Bluntly, had Clarke selected Zander Clark or Liam Kelly to keep goal in the Parken stadium, it would have been understandable.
While not exactly overworked on the night, Gunn was a calming presence. A few punches aside, his handling was secure and decisive. There were no unforced errors.
He owed Clarke big time for standing by him. Despite the obvious concerns about a lack of match fitness, he more than justified that faith.
Ferguson to the fore
Lewis Ferguson has struggled for opportunities in a Scotland jersey purely through the number of midfield options Clarke has at his disposal.
It’s fair to say that when he’s had his chance, the form he’s shown with Bologna hasn’t quite been replicated for his country.
Consequently, the 26-year-old’s selection ahead of Napoli’s Billy Gilmour was surprising. Gilmour’s ability to keep the ball under pressure has been a feature of some of Scotland’s best performances in the last four years.
Ferguson, though, was simply terrific on his 17th appearance for his country.
Primarily deployed to prevent the Danes from playing through the visiting defence, he shut off passing lines, tracked runners and ushered opponents into areas where they could cause no harm. He’d as much to do with Gunn having a much quieter night than expected than the excellent back-four behind him.
Goals still need to be shared around
When Lyndon Dykes went clear on goal in the second half, he looked anything but a natural goalscorer.
His hesitation was extremely costly. By the time he’d steadied himself, Rasmus Kristensen had made up the ground and the best chance of the night was gone. It’s to be hoped that moment doesn’t come back to haunt Clarke’s men after the six qualifying matches.
Dykes actually played well on the night. His physicality unsettled the Danish defenders. He held the ball up and brought his team-mates into the game.
But the missed chance was hardly out of character. He’s only managed nine goals in 43 appearances. Che Adams’ return stands at nine in 40.
John McGinn, 20 goals in 78 appearances, and Scott McTominay, 12 in 62, are the only players in the current squad in double figures.
Without a dependable striker, others have to step up and share the burden. It’s worth remembering that teams which finish level on points in the group are separated by goal difference – not head-to-head.
Brave Clarke changes the mood music
You’ve got to hand it to the manager. By keeping Ben Gannon Doak on the bench until the latter stages and not playing Gilmour at all, he would have known that his selections left him open to criticism if it hadn’t gone to plan.
Without being spectacular, Scotland were solid and effective. They gave little away and created more chances than most observers expected.
While it would have been pleasing to see Gannon Doak given more game time and Kieron Bowie take the field in some capacity, the main object of the exercise was not to lose the game.
A welcome point sets the team up nicely for Belarus in neutral Hungary on Monday. Their 5-1 loss in Greece confirmed their status as the group whipping boys.
Clarke has not had his critics to seek since the side performed dismally at Euro 2024.
Friday’s outcome was a reminder that’s he remains a shrewd and experienced operator who’s capable of digging out results against talented sides when you least expect it.
Scotland fly from Denmark to Hungary on Sunday with their hopes of reaching the World Cup intact. Those who’ve been waving pitchforks in the manager’s direction will have to pipe down.