GLASGOW: Scotland made some amends for their World Cup play-off defeat by claiming a crucial Nations League victory over Ukraine at Hampden to move top of Group B1.

Three months on from a deflating loss to the same opposition, John McGinn swept in a deserved 70th-minute opener after dominant and dynamic Scottish side had passed up a flurry of clear-cut opportunities in Glasgow.

Substitute Lyndon Dykes then headed in twice late on to seal a vital win which sees the Scots leapfrog the Ukrainians.

Steve Clarke’s side hold a two-point advantage in top spot with two games remaining, the first of which is the visit of the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, before a potential decider with the Ukrainians in Krakow next Tuesday.

The build-up to the Hampden play-off three months ago was dominated by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which continues to have a devastating impact on the nation.

Ukraine, in their first competitive game since the conflict began, somehow roused themselves to a momentous win against the below-par Scots, who went on to beat Armenia twice either side of an abject 3-0 defeat to Ireland in the following fortnight.

Looking to right the wrongs of a two-week spell which Clarke felt “stalled” his side’s progress, the Scotland boss challenged his players to regain their “momentum” at Hampden, a place where they have now lost just once in their last 15 games.

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