Greece 0 Scotland 1

Steve Clarke has long had good reason to be grateful to the bright spark in the corridors of UEFA headquarters who dreamed up the concept of the Nations League.

Without its introduction, he would not have been gifted the chance to guide Scotland to Euro 2020 via the play-offs thanks to Alex McLeish’s efforts in the inaugural edition.

And, having got there the hard way, he plainly wasn’t going to see the team he built surrender that status without a heck of a fight.

Without a point after the three opening group matches, Scotland earned this unlikely shot at redemption by drawing with Portugal then defeating Croatia and Poland.

They aren’t safe yet, but what a chance they’ve given themselves after pulling off an act of escapology which would have earned the approval of Harry Houdini.

Scott McTominay punches the air after giving Scots a precious 1-0 lead with penalty

McTominay trots away to savour the acclaim of the Tartan Army after his first-half winner 

The Napoli man leaps for joy after his goal, but the watching Greek fans are not so happy

After recording their first win on Greek soil thanks to Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty, an expectant crowd now awaits at Hampden on Sunday.

With the side now on a run of three straight wins, the feel-good factor which evaporated after a dismal European Championships last summer is back.

There was so much to admire about this showing. A measured first-half display saw Clarke’s side outplay the Greeks and deservedly head up the tunnel in front.

With the hosts much improved in the second half, it became a question of character and desire. Clarke did not have a single player who failed him.

If Greece are going to take Scotland’s status as a top-tier side away from them, they are going to have to produce something truly extraordinary come the return leg.

Clarke’s players seem to have rediscovered the tenacity and spirit which took them to Germany. That forgettable episode at the finals – and the lingering hangover – now look to be well behind them.

The build-up had been dominated by an embarrassing hullabaloo over Lennon Miller having the temerity to show a little ambition by stating he wanted to become his country’s best player. Not in a month of Sundays was the teenager starting here, however.

More notable was the absence from the start of Kieran Tierney, with the Arsenal man benched despite being available to Clarke for the first time since last summer.

McTominay expertly slots home his spot-kick despite someone shining a laser on his face

The Scots produced an excellent rearguard action against the improved Greeks

Steve Clarke urges on his players after a superb night for the Scotland team in Piraeus

There was absolutely no debating the pedigree of the Greeks. Their only defeat in a Nations League group containing England, Ireland and Finland came in Athens against the side then managed by Gareth Southgate.

It was an intriguing match-up. Greece were initially content to give Scotland the ball at the back and wait for the moment to press. Clarke’s side confidently played through the thirds with assured passing.

For all Ivan Jovanovic’s side offered physicality, Scotland more than matched it. In his first start for his country in a year, Lewis Ferguson set the tone by bulldozing Giannis Konstantelias out of the way as they contested a loose ball.

Greece sought to pepper Craig Gordon’s goal with deep crosses. Clarke required Anthony Ralston and Andy Robertson to display exemplary levels of concentration. They did not let him down.

There was also an assurance to Grant Hanley and John Souttar in possession. Even with Fotis Ioannidis flying across the ground to pressure them, they held their nerve and instigated attacks.

Ahead of them, Billy Gilmour bobbed, weaved and delivered geometry-defying passes. The experienced Kenny McLean tracked runners, retained possession and set the tempo.

Ferguson started on the left of a narrow three and wreaked havoc with the intelligence of his runs into the centre.

Che Adams offered menace up top and smartly interchanged with John McGinn and McTominay to ensure the Greeks were kept guessing.

Lewis Ferguson shows his disbelief as the referee awards a free-kick for the hosts

Scotland breathed a sigh of relief when VAR overturned a penalty that was awarded to Greece

The Scotland players applaud the travelling fans after they cheered them to precious victory

Scotland defended and attacked in unison and played with control and maturity. In every imaginable sense, this was a fine team effort.

McTominay looked like a player brimming with confidence on the back an outstanding debut season in Naples.

He was unfortunate not to put the visitors ahead before he did, his unorthodox attempt to convert as he scrambled on the ground following a corner almost bearing fruit.

His tenacity brought the opener. Darting into the box, he ensured he secured the ball a split second before Lazaros Rota. The pain McTominay felt at the defender’s studs digging onto his ankle was soothed by the sight of German referee Tobias Stieler pointing to the spot.

McTominay took the penalty and confidently sent Konstantis Tzolakis the wrong way. That’s 12 international goals, all coming in competitive games.

It said much about the display of his side that Clarke would have been a shade disappointed not to be further ahead at the interval.

Gilmour certainly felt he was impeded by Kostas Tsimikas as he tried to pull the trigger. The officials didn’t agree.

Adams was then unaware he had as much time as he wanted when a panic-stricken Greek defence gave up the ball. Tzolakis should have been left without a prayer. The Torino man did find time to drill another fierce effort narrowly wide of the upright.

The interval arrived with Gordon yet to make a save of note. Jovanovic had to shuffle his pack and threw on 17-year-old wonder kid Konstantinos Karetsas for his debut.

Greece head coach Ivan Jovanovic will have to rouse his players for second leg at Hampden

Kostas Tsimikas fires a freekick over Craig Gordon’s crossbar as Scots breathe again

Scotland skipper Andy Robertson congratulates McTominay after his winning goal

His velvet touch and vision on the right flank elevated those around him. Souttar managed to get in the way of the Genk teenager’s scissor-kick. With no way out at the start of the second period, Scotland had to be resolute and disciplined.

McGinn tried to release the mounting pressure but fired over after Gilmour’s cute backheel.

Luckless in so many recent matches, Scotland got away with one when Christos Tzolis struck the post from four yards, with Ralston in close attention.

With Scotland visibly tiring, the waves of attacks from those in white just kept coming.

Clarke threw on George Hirst for his debut, with Tierney belatedly introduced. Their efforts augmented an impressive rear-guard effort.

For all the Greeks forced corner after corner, Gordon was never asked to make anything other than routine saves. That said much.

Hanley’s only error on the night came when his weary limb felled Taxiarchis Fountas. To his considerable relief, the initial award of a penalty was reduced to a free-kick when VAR identified the offence had taken place just outside the box.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the 2,000-strong Tartan Army. The reaction of Clarke’s players was naturally much more understated.

They still have a job to do. Yet there has to be every confidence that they will complete it.