Scotland kicked-off their World Cup preparations with a more than convincing 4-1 victory over Dick Advocaat’s Curacao at Barclays Hampden. 

Tahith Chong gave the the tournament minnows a shock lead, but three unanswered goals after Jurgen Locadia’s sending off from Rangers’ double Findlay Curtis and Lawrence Shankland followed by a Ryan Christie spot kick gave Scotland a first friendly home win in over ten years.

The smallest nation at this summer’s World Cup took a surprising lead on the 17th minute through former Manchester United winger Tahith Chong. Scott McKenna had been sucked out of position by a long ball, allowing Chong to drive forward, chop onto his stronger left foot and steer the ball home at the near post.

George Hirst came closest to a Scottish equaliser when he leaped to meet a Kenny McLean cross, but his powerful effort was stopped from creeping into the bottom corner.

Curacao would be reduced to 10 men eight minutes before half-time when ex-Brighton striker Jurgen Locadia’s yellow card was upgraded to a red following a VAR review. The 32-year-old elbowed Aaron Hickey in the face.

Scotland made the man advantage count and went into the interval on level terms thanks to Findlay Curtis, who came off the bench five minutes prior for the injured Billy Gilmour.

McLean slipped in the former Kilmarnock loanee, who rolled the ball home with his left boot for a first Scotland goal in only his second appearance for the national side.

Tyler Fletcher, son of Scotland legend Darren, came off the bench at half-time to make his Scotland debut as one of five Steve Clarke substitutions at the break. 

Ryan Christie’s volley at the edge of the box was the first warning shot that Scotland were hunting a breakthrough just over ten minutes into the second period, which was stung away by Eloy Room after the Bournemouth man was superbly setup by Lawrence Shankland. 

And Christie would turn provider for the new Rangers forward a couple of minutes later, putting in a low pass from a corner routine for Shankland to wrap his right foot around and curl into the back of the net and make it 2-1 for the home side, and net his fifth goal in a Scottish jersey. 

Five goals for Scotland would be six only five minutes later when the 30-year-old was played through excellently by strike partner Lyndon Dykes, taking one touch and clipping a bouncing ball of the inside of the post to give Steve Clarke’s men a two-goal cushion. 

The second-half striking duo played an acrobatic one-two not long after the second which put Shankland through on goal for a hat-trick, but the former Hearts captain’s effort was rushed and tame. 

Jurien Gaari’s challenge on Findlay Curtis inside the box with ten minutes to play gave Christie the opportunity for his tenth Scotland goal from the penalty spot. The 31-year-old dully obliged, calmly slotting the ball down the middle to make it 4-1.

The result marks the first time Scotland have won a friendly at home since defeating Denmark 1-0 all the way back in March 2016. 

Curacao have one more friendly against Aruba ahead of their World Cup opener with 2014 winners Germany on June 14th.

As for Scotland, they face Bolivia in New Jersey next Saturday to finalise their preparations for Haiti which kicks off June 14th at 2am UK time. 

SCOTLAND: Gordon 5 (Kelly 77′ 2), Robertson 6 (Ralston 77′ 1), McKenna 3 (Hyam 46’ 4), Souttar 3 (Hanley 46’ 4), Hickey 3 (Patterson 46’ 3), McLean 8, Gilmour 3 (Curtis 42’ 7), Christie 7, Gannon-Doak 3 (Fletcher 46’4), Hirst 2 (Dykes 46’ 5), Shankland 9 (Wilson 77′ 1)

Curacao: Room 4, Fonville 4, Obispo 4, Bazoer 2 (Kastaneer 46’ 3), Gaari 4, Floranus 5, Bacuna 3 (Roemeratoe 55’ 2), Bacuna 3 (Antonisse 61′ 2), Comenencia 3 (Noslin 61′ 1), Chong 6, Locadia 1