Though Scotland didn’t secure a victory in Copenhagen for the first time in five decades on Friday, the scoreless draw achieved by Steve Clarke’s team was still a promising start on their journey to qualify for the World Cup next summer.

Strong in defense, the visitors managed to create more opportunities than the home team and could have potentially taken all three points if their finishing had been more precise.

Nonetheless, securing a draw away from home against the highest-ranked team in their group was a result that any member of the Tartan Army would have welcomed before the match began.

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 is set to turn 34 in November. His selection has been under scrutiny ever since his initial inclusion. After being released by Birmingham, he had not been playing football before joining Hibs.

By contrast, Scott McKenna, still only 28, has been playing each week since signing for Dinamo Zagreb.

However, Clarke’s decision to persist with Hanley and John Souttar proved successful. The duo defended their area with great determination, winning aerial duels and making crucial interventions.

Hanley may be one of the more senior members of the team, but his inclusion is justified. Performances like his provide Scotland with a foundation to potentially succeed in any match.

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.