The scoreboard in Skopje told one story. The rest of the statistics told quite another. Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 in their Nations League fixture on Saturday evening, and if two goals can be called a rout then a rout it emphatically was — though the margin should, by almost any measure, have been considerably wider.

Sebastien Pocognoli finally has his first win as Scotland head coach, and the relief in the camp was palpable. The questions about when Scotland would score, whether the system would click, whether the new era had a genuine identity — they haven't vanished entirely, but they have quietened. Tuesday's home game against Slovenia at Hampden arrives in a very different atmosphere than it might have done.

Robertson Reaches 100 Caps in Style

It was, above all else, a fitting occasion for Andy Robertson, who earned his 100th cap on the night. On what he might have feared could be a nervy, scrappy affair, the Liverpool captain instead turned in one of his more straightforward international evenings. He was relentless from the first whistle — four shots in the opening 13 minutes alone, which is reportedly more than he had managed across a full 90 minutes in any of his previous 99 appearances for his country. That kind of tempo set the tone for everything that followed.

Kieron Bowie's opening goal was the moment that settled Scotland's nerves and confirmed what the opening exchanges had suggested. Oli McBurnie did the hard yards to create the opportunity, Billy Gilmour — producing yet another display that makes you wonder how Napoli are getting the best out of him when Scotland manage it so consistently — played his part, and then Bowie's footwork and composure did the rest. A clean, confident finish from a young player who looks increasingly like he belongs at this level.

Gilmour, Gannon-Doak and the Bigger Picture

Gilmour's role in this Scotland side continues to be one of the more interesting tactical discussions in British football. He drops deep to set tempo, pushes forward to threaten, and reads the game with a maturity that belies his age. Whether Pocognoli plays him as a six or an eight almost feels beside the point — he simply finds the right position and then does the right thing with the ball.

Ben Gannon-Doak was another who caught the eye, tormenting the North Macedonia backline with pace and directness throughout. The Bournemouth winger is not getting consistent club minutes, and it shows in the final product — his delivery can be wayward, and he spurned chances he might have taken on a sharper night. But the raw materials are there for anyone to see. North Macedonia simply could not live with him when he was running at them.

Scotland's numbers were remarkable for a game that finished 2-0. Twenty-five shots to the hosts' nine, 10 on target to none at all. Scotland's players touched the ball 37 times in the North Macedonia penalty area in normal play; the home side managed two touches in Scotland's. A dog that apparently wandered onto the pitch at one point during the first half reportedly posed more of a threat than the Macedonian attack managed for the majority of proceedings.

Promise Tempered by a Familiar Frustration

The frustration, of course, is the execution. Scotland created chance after chance and did not take them with anything like the ruthlessness you need if you want to make this kind of dominance count in bigger games. Oli McBurnie's wait for an international goal extends to 19 caps and counting. Gannon-Doak blasted over. Others shot tamely when better options existed.

Scott McKenna's late red card gave North Macedonia a brief window to show they were capable of a passing move or two, and their support raised something approaching a cheer. It felt like a footnote rather than a turning point.

Luis Binks, Stephen Welsh and substitute Robbie Ure all had evenings they will remember. The defence looks settled and assured. The attacking talent is clearly there. The conversion rate is the work still to be done — and Pocognoli will know it.

Tuesday at Hampden against Slovenia feels like a genuine opportunity to build on this. Scotland's new era is starting to have a shape to it. Whether it has a cutting edge remains the question.

Frequently asked

What was the result between North Macedonia and Scotland?
Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 in their UEFA Nations League fixture in Skopje, with Kieron Bowie among the scorers.
How many caps has Andy Robertson got for Scotland?
Andy Robertson won his 100th Scotland cap in the 2-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje.
Who is Scotland's new manager and what was his first win?
Sebastien Pocognoli is Scotland's head coach, and the 2-0 Nations League victory over North Macedonia in Skopje was his first win in charge.