Scotland v Qatar as it happened

1. Matt Ritchie scores only goal
2. Scotland secure third straight win
3. Qatar lose three-game unbeaten run
4. Friendly at Easter Road

Thanks for your company. It wasn't as bad a game as some made out, but the worrying thing for Scotland ahead of the game in Dublin is that they made a poor team look okay.

Join us next week to find out if Gordon Strachan's side can up their game against the Republic of Ireland.

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Barry Johnstone; "@BBCSportScot Qatar looks the better team at points."

Ken on Facebook: "One word - terrible"

Steven Naismith conducted that interview with a couple of nasty cuts on his chest following that clash with the Qatar goalkeeper. However, the striker says he will be fine to face the Republic of Ireland.

Scotland striker Steven Naismith on BBC Radio Scotland

"It probably was a penalty. We didn't get it, but overall it wasn't the greatest result but one we needed after having a wee break.

"The boys who had a break got a good bit of game time and we can focus on next week's game and stands us in good stead.

"We are on the up and there's competition for places."

Injured Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass thinks Alan Hutton, Russell Martin, Steven Fletcher, James Morrison and possibly Andy Robertson are likely to come into the starting line-up against the Republic of Ireland.

Scotland captain Scott Brown on BBC Radio Scotland

"It was another good performance by the lads.

"From start to finish, we worked hard and did what the gaffer asked of us.

"Everybody says it should be 4-0 or 5-0, but it is never as easy as that.

"It has been good results so far and we need to keep that going.

"Ireland's a great team and they made it hard for us at Celtic Park.

"But we got the win and hopefully we can do that again in Dublin."

Scotland captain Scott Brown has just told BBC Radio Scotland that he might be some time before his interview as there are four stunning air hostesses presenting the trophy.

For what it was worth, just a reminder that Matt Ritchie's goal has secured for Scotland the Qatar Airways Cup.

BBC Scotland's Tom English at Easter Road

"I found some of that game almost unwatchable. It was just meandering throughout the second half. Players were going through the motions and it was a very tame affair. Qatar showed some nice touches - more than I expected - but Scotland weren't very good and had to defend smartly. This was more of a commercial exercise than a football event."

Scotland secure a third straight victory to end Qatar's three-match unbeaten run.

Leigh Griffiths tests the goalkeeper with a low drive from 18 yards, but Qatar goalkeeper Amine Lecomte Addani does well to turn the ball wide for a corner.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"It hasn't really been a test for Scotland. It is poor quality opposition that haven't shown much going forward. Scotland have had a few chances and should have scored one or two more."

Scotland have the ball in the net for a second time, but Leigh Griffiths is clearly offside as he side-foots home from two yards after a fine run and pass from Charlie Adam.

A good run by Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths and his low cross is turned wide of the far post by Johnny Russell.

Johnny Russell isn't heeding Gordon Strachan's advice about not making strong challenges as the striker takes out two Qataris in one foul swoop.

Qatar have probably been the more dangerous side in the final quarter of the game at Easter Road, but the 14,270 crowd - a bit more than we estimated - are doing their best to inspire the Scots.

Substitute Johnny Russell is denied by a good, point-blank save from goalkeeper Amine Lecomte Addani after an instinctive flick from the striker.

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TheStellarossa: "It's battle of the pub teams."

Graeme: "Celtic fans tell me James Forrest is great. I have not seen one bit of evidence in a Scotland shirt to prove this to me."

Atheist Agenda: "It's like watching two Third Division teams."

Abdelkarim Hassan shows great skill to weave his way from the halfway line and into the Scotland penalty box only to be thwarted by a Gordon Greer challenge.

GREAT SAVE!

Hassan Al Haidos nips inside his marker and unleashes a powerful drive from the edge of the penalty box that Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon does well to turn round the post. Danger for Scotland.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"James Forrest has been back to his best, a constant threat and he's given Gordon Strachan something to think about."

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Euan: "Hope Naismith can get the same chances next week and then hit the target. This has been Scotland's downfall for more than a generation. No one to put the ball in the net."

First real threat from Qatar for a while and a good tackle from Ikechi Anya denies Abdelkarim Hassan a shot on goal deep inside the penalty box.

Keystone Kops-style defending there from Qataris as goalkeeper Amine Lecomte Addani collides with his own defender, but James Forrest is unable to capitalise.

Two of the Scotland subs combine to create a chance as Charlie Adam finds Leigh Griffiths inside the penalty box with a wonderful pass, but the striker's control lets him down. An identical move follows and this time Griffiths knocks the ball into the path of James Forrest, but the winger finds the back row of the stand with his shot.

Steven Naismith has dusted himself down sufficiently to threaten again, but his volley ripples the wrong side of the net before the striker is replaced in a flurry of substitutions.

Steven Naismith is back on his feet and on to the park after that collision, which is good news for Scotland ahead of the game against the Irish next week.

Worry for Scotland as Steven Naismith is left prone on the ground after he is challenged in the penalty box by Abdelkarim Hassan and collides with the Qatar goalkeeper. Some cries for a penalty, but the left back looked to have got the ball cleanly.

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Dan Brown: "Can't believe Andy Murray's not watching the Scotland v Qatar match just to have a knock-up with some Serb."

John Lamb: "Assist goes to the streaker."

Dylan Mckaig: "So far so good. Patience is key to these games. Streaker was funny to hear about (watching this while listening on the radio)."

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David Fawkes: "I'm predicting Scotland will get 6. Shots on goal that is. Strachan needs to be trying other players and experimenting in games like this. 45 minutes in 5 months and Mulgrew waltzes straight into the starting line-up? Strachan obviously has his favourites and everyone else can whistle - not good enough."

Euan Glen: "Feel sorry for Reynolds, but he has not been the player he was last year and I am not sure why he gets included each squad."

Steven Naismith peels off at the back past to meet a corner, but the striker's downward header is into Qatar's side netting.

Shaun Maloney breaks clear behind the Qatar defence, but his flick beyond the goalkeeper goes wide.

Karim Boudiaf, who scored Qatar's equaliser against Northern Ireland, tries a shot from the edge of the penalty box, but Gordon Greer makes a good block.

KICK-OFF

Scotland kick-off as the sunshine comes out in Leith.

About 10,000 are predicted to be in Easter Road tonight. They have witnessed a competent performance by Scotland against fairly ineffectual opponents. Gordon Strachan will be looking for them to take confidence and build on that lead.

Scotland will make a couple of substitutions, with Craig Gordon replacing David Marshall in the Scotland goal, with James Morrison replacing James McArthur in midfield.

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Ross: "If Scotland persist passing the ball backwards, I will get bus to Easter Road & have a tantrum at them then head to work!"

Rob: "Need a proper striker on with Naismith. Qatar look worse than the Dog and Duck."

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Sulaimon Adelekan: "Scotland to win 2-0 for me."

Ali_M: "I couldn't possibly say exactly what I think of this game so far it would be X Rated."

Neil Cursiter: "Get the waterboy, Mark Reynolds, on!"

Bruce Davidson: "The ref looks like a Game of Thrones villain."

SNS

Matt Ritchie put Scotland into the lead shortly before the break at Easter Road

HITS THE WOODWORK

James McArthur sets up Steven Naismith inside the penalty box, but after the striker dinks the ball over the Qatar goalkeeper the ball strikes the face of the post.

That was Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie's first goal in his third Scotland appearance.

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"That switch of tactics of bringing on the streaker worked wonders for Scotland."

GOAL

Qatar are caught dreaming of that streaker as Steven Naismith breaks forward, his pass breaks off a defender and Matt Ritchie powers the ball low past the Qatar goalkeeper from 18 yards.

There's a streaker on the pitch. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan does not look amused, unlike referee Sebastien Delferiere, who sees the funny side.

YELLOW CARD

The game has brightened up and the end-to-end play is ended with Mohammed Tresor Abdullah being yellow carded for a foul on James Forrest as the winger looked to break clear down the left.

Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass on BBC Radio Scotland

"It has been quite flat to be honest. Scotland have had a few chances and have got to keep passing and moving as Qatar are playing with five across the line."

BBC Radio Scotland pundit Willie Miller

"Scotland have had a few opportunities. The Qatar's haven't really shown anything other than a couple of bits of skill, but nothing that will worry Gordon Strachan."

SNS

Ikechi Anya and Matt Ritchie are providing a twin threat down the Scottish right wing

Shaun Maloney threatens to break clear, but his wee pumping legs can't take him out of reach from the elongated limbs of Mohamed Moussa. A superb saving tackle from the Qatar defender.

Craig Forsyth is proving to be a threat down the Scotland left and his cross finds Matt Ritchie unmarked, but the winger's volley is poor and the effort bobbles wide.

GREAT SAVE!

Steven Naismith fires in a snap shot that Qatar goalkeeper Amine Lecomte Addani does well to turn over athletically one-handed. From the corner, Charlie Mulgrew rises unchallenged but sends his header wide of the far post.

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Derek: "Going for 5-0 Scotland tonight."

Ikechi Anya shows that starting at right-back for the Scots is not going to restrain his attacking attempt and he sends a drive that hooks wide of the far post from 18 yards.

First shot on target for Scotland as Craig Forsyth gets to the by-line and the left-back finds Steven Naismith in space, but the striker's low shot from 15 yards is well held by goalkeeper Amine Lecomte Addani.

David Marshall has to tip over his own crossbar as a defensive header by Scotland full-back Ikechi Anya loops towards his own goal.

Qatar at last venture into the Scottish half of the pitch and Ali Asadalla is pulled down by Scott Brown. Hasan Al Haydos shows his shooting prowess, making an attempt from all of 40 yards, but it powers straight into the arms of goalkeeper David Marshall.

All of the visiting players play in Qatar's domestic league, so don't expect to recognise any household names.

Qatar goalkeeper Amine Lecomte Addani looks a bit uncertain as he needlessly punches away a wayward Matt Ritchie free-kick flighted to the back post.

Matt Ritchie sets up James Forrest and the Celtic winger, who is making his first Scotland start since 2013, smacks a shot towards goal from 16 yards, but it strikes a defender's body and loops clear.

KICK-OFF

Qatar kick-off in all maroon. Will playing in Hearts colours be a good omen for the visitors at the home of the Tynecastle side's Edinburgh rivals?

SNS

There is a trophy to play for tonight as well. The Qatar Airways Cup is up for grabs apparently.

Those who are at Easter Road give us a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland. Maybe it is something about Edinburgh crowds as they always do better at Murrayfield too than at Hampden.

I don't know if that was just a poor version of the Qatar national anthem, or it was written by Karlheinz Stockhausen.

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Pro Clubs Shandy: "Prediction?­ Scotland 3-1 Ritchie to score 1st."

tom and 20 others: "I can see Scotland struggling in the heat. This fixture really should have been moved to winter."

Now for those national anthems. Not many in Easter Road to sing them though!

Here come the team. The fireworks are released around Easter Road.

The players are gathering in the tunnel. You can feel the anticipation....not!

Jose Daniel Carreno makes four changes from the side that drew with Northern Ireland. Abdul Karim Hassan and Ali Asadalla come into defence in place of Dame Traore and Hamid Ismail, while Karim Boudiaf and Hassan Al Haidous coming into midfield in place of Yasseen Ismail Musa and Majdi Siddiq.

It looks like it is going to be a poor crowd at Easter Road. Less than 15 minutes from kick-off and Hibernian's ground is showing rows of green empty seats.

LINE-UPS

Qatar: Lecomte, Abdelkarim Hassan, Kasola, Yasser, Asadalla, Hatem, Mohammed Abdullah, Boudiaf, Ahmed El Sayed, Muntari, Al Haidous.

Substitutes: Soufiane, Musa, Mukhtar, Siddiq, Muftah, Ismail, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Mohamed, Muayed Hassan, Ilyas, Mohammad, Traore, Mohamed El Sayed, Al Sheeb.

Stat attack

John Barnes

BBC Scotland at Easter Road

• This is the fifth friendly Scotland has hosted at Easter Road in last 13 years. They've won three of the previous four
• Scotland looking to make it three wins in a row this year after beating Northern Ireland and Gibraltar
• Scotland have won four of last five home matches.
• Scotland on a run of two defeats in 13
• Qatar unbeaten in three matches - all friendlies: Northern Ireland, Slovenia and Algeria
• Nine of Qatar squad play for Lehwiya, the Qatar League champions.
• Qatar preparing for World Cup qualifier against Maldives next week.

SNS

Qatar on unbeaten run

BBC

Qatar are coached by Jose Daniel Carreno, who has spent much of his managerial career in the Middle East, with fellow Uruguayan Max Viera, who has mainly coached in the United States, his assistant.

Viera has just told BBC Radio Scotland that they will respect their opponents because of Scotland's ranking and history but will be looking to put on a good performance ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Tonight's master of ceremonies is Belgian referee Sebastien Delferiere.

Qatar this week moved up two places in the world rankings. Although they are still 69 places below the Scots in 97th spot, they managed a 1-1 draw with 44th-ranked Northern Ireland in Crewe on Sunday and recorded 1-0 victories over Algeria and Slovenia in their previous two outings.

Qatar will certainly not be viewing this as the extension of training promised by Scotland boss Gordon Strachan. The Middle Eastern side are looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games ahead of the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign against the Maldives later this month.

Happy Easter

For Strachan, tonight's game offers the chance to return to his first footballing love: Hibernian's Easter Road.

The former Scotland midfielder grew up near the Edinburgh stadium and cheered on his boyhood heroes.

"It's fantastic that I can go back to where I started watching football as the Scotland manager," he said.

SNS

"It's a proud time being Scotland manager and going back there is fantastic. I'm sure a few of my relatives will be going to the game."

Pitch perfect

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan tweets: The pitch at Easter Road looking great @HibsOfficial #WeAreScotland

BBC

LINE-UPS

Scotland: Marshall, Anya, Forsyth, Greer, Mulgrew, Maloney, Forrest, Brown (captain), Naismith, McArthur, Ritchie.

Substitutes: Gordon, S Fletcher, D Fletcher, Adam, Martin, Robertson, Bannan, Morrison, Samson, Berra, Russell, Griffiths, Reynolds.

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How should Scotland approach tonight's game? Who do you think will take the opportunity to shine and perhaps play themselves into Gordon Strachan's plans for next weekend's Euro 2016 qualifier in Dublin?

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Scotland manager Gordon Strachan on BBC Radio Scotland

"I don't think anything we do tonight will give you a hint for what we will do next week.

"We have played the same way for a couple of years now, so there will be some tweaks.

"Qatar are 97th in the world rankings, but there is not that much between the sides.

"They are a good side and I'm surprised how physically strong they are."

Ikechi Anya is a surprise choice at right back as manager Gordon Strachan gives the Watford man, more usually deployed as a winger, match practice ahead of the game against Republic of Ireland. Derby County left-back Craig Forsyth also starts, while Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew is also given vital match practice at the heart of the defence after having missed much of the second half of the season through injury.

We are not expecting as many fireworks on the field of play in Edinburgh tonight unfortunately. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan and assistant Mark McGhee have both stressed that they will be advising their players to avoid challenges that might lead to injury ahead of next week's more important Euro 2016 qualifier against Republic of Ireland.

Qatar's hosting of the World Cup has itself come under scrutiny amid the investigations in the United States and Switzerland into the workings of world governing body Fifa that led to Sepp Blatter announcing his decision to stand down as president.

Some Scotland fans have threatened a boycott, while human rights organisations have questioned whether Qatar are suitable guests for the Scottish FA considering the questions being raised about the treatment - and rising death toll - of foreign workers helping build facilities for the 2022 World Cup.

Just when you thought the football season had ended, it pops up it's relentless head again. It is international friendly time, but Qatar's visit to Easter Road has sparked as much interest - and controversy - off the field as it is likely to inspire on it.