win to lighten the mood is illuminated by Rhodes

Michael Grant
Chief football writer

OKAY, Scotland supporters have permission to look forward to the World Cup again.

It is only 23 days until Serbia turn up at Hampden for the first of the qualifiers and the dismantling of Australia in the final preparatory game was a tonic badly required by Craig Levein. The Scotland manager habitually over-praises his players and their performances but it was easier to buy into his appreciation last night.

They were bright and lively, with plenty of fine individual performances and a couple of fine finishes either side of an Australian own goal. Levein may have made light of the widespread booing of late substitute Ian Black's every touch by many supporters at Easter Road but doubtless it infuriated him because it overshadowed many positives. Of more lasting significance was the excellent contribution, and goal, from Jordan Rhodes.

Was Black booed because he is a controversial former Hearts man making his debut on Hibs' patch? Or because Scotland supporters resented Levein calling him up from the Irn-Bru Third Division? Whatever the reason, it was startling to hear. However long he has to wait for his next cap, he won't forget a unique first. No Scotland debutant has ever received such an introduction.

Otherwise, here was a display to dilute the negativity of losing 5-1 in the United States last time out. Levein intends to bring Kenny Miller straight back into the team against the Serbs. Well, now it's a debate rather than a formality.

Rhodes' goal was the highlight of a terrific display. He has plenty of improving to do, but on this evidence he may become a forward who converts a higher percentage of chances than Miller. Ross McCormack rattled in an admirable finish, too.

Mark Bresciano had put Australia ahead with a lovely volley but that was against the run of play. The margin of victory, aided by Jason Davidson's own goal, flattered Levein's side, but only a little. They were deserved winners.

Rhodes was a stirring, illuminating presence in Scotland's night. For a lad of 22 who'd never previously started a senior international match, he disguised it well. Right from the start he was buzzing the Australian penalty area. When James Morrison fizzed over a low cross to the near post Rhodes tried his damndest to convert it with a backheel. Even the attempt, and the imagination to try it, lifted those in the stands.

A couple of Alan Hutton crosses almost got him in again, the first flashing just past the striker and the second being headed just wide.

It was hugely encouraging to sense that Scotland might be blessed with a natural goalscorer, and with half an hour gone he had his first in a Scotland shirt. Most of the better crosses came from Hutton and the impressive Robert Snodgrass on the right but it was one from the left which gave Rhodes the sniff he needed. He stole in front of defender Sasa Ognenovski and connected with Danny Fox's cross to send a wonderful glancing header flying in at the far post. A lithe, blonde Huddersfield and Scotland striker scoring with a brilliant instinctive header? All very reminiscent of a certain figure from the past, but let's spare him the burden of a comparison to the greatest.

The goal brought Scotland back into a game in which they had started brightly only to concede the opening goal. Two teams were at fault for it: Scotland and the officials.

Norwegian referee Tom Hagen and his assistants missed the ball going out of play before Lucas Neill cut it back, then they missed that Brett Holman's stabbed, close-range shot was over the line, then they missed that it struck Fox's arm. Neither a goal nor penalty was given as the ball was cleared for a corner.

Scotland had defended it poorly, from the moment Robbie Kruse caught them sleeping with a quick throw-in. When the corner was delivered Christophe Berra headed it out but Bresciano caught it with a delicious volley which flew past Allan McGregor.

Levein went with only Rhodes as an out-and-out striker but Snodgrass and Naismith pushing on from either side. Gary Caldwell anchored the midfield – he looked comfortable in a role he hadn't occupied for a while – behind Charlie Adam and James Morrison. The latter's involvement ended within half an hour because of an ankle injury, and he joined McGregor in the treatment room after the goalkeeper went off in only the 22nd minute having hurt his back. Matt Gilks replaced him, earning his first cap.

Both full-backs were influential. Hutton showed flashes of his old form with some forceful forward runs and Fox contributed similarly and made not only Rhodes' goal but Scotland's second. His cross arrowed towards Davidson and the substitute, only three minutes into the play, planted a header into his own net. Scotland had a spring in their step and McCormack made it safe 16 minutes from time, skipping past a defender and burying a low shot in the corner. There was so much to appreciate that the subsequent booing of Black was jarring.

Scotland had emerged to the dispiriting sight of only 11,000 supporters inside Easter Road. It will be different next time they emerge, but a similar outcome would be electrifying.

Taken from the Herald