Supersub Kenny McLean labelled his Scotland match-winning strike ‘a pretty special’ feeling to seal a 2-1 Euro2024 comeback victory in Norway on Saturday evening.
McLean was only introduced in the 79th minute in Oslo but guided Lyndon Dykes’ cushioned pass into the bottom corner to make it three qualifying wins out of three for Steve Clarke’s squad.
Club mate Angus Gunn was again included from the start after a key role in the previous Group A home win over Spain.
Gunn was beaten from the penalty spot by Manchester City’s treble-winning striker Erling Haaland just past the hour mark, but Dykes levelled in the 87th minute before teeing up McLean two minutes later.
McLean missed City’s miserable Championship finale, after knee ligament damage against Sheffield United on April 1, but was called up for his country after proving his fitness.
“It was pretty special, a really good moment for everyone involved and obviously for the fans that travelled – it was amazing,” said the 31-year-old, who signed a new longer term Carrow Road deal midway through the last domestic season. “Obviously I have only had the San Marino goal previously so I am delighted to score such a meaningful goal.
"I don’t know if I was too happy with Dykesy – setting me up on my right – but thankfully it worked. It doesn’t come out much but thankfully it paid off.
“I think if I miss it, it goes down as a massive chance. Thankfully it goes in. The set from Dykesy was perfect. Just happy to be there in that position. The lads who played the whole game and who worked so tirelessly, they all deserved that.
“We have worked maybe the last two and a bit weeks for that moment and it has paid off. Hopefully we have sent the fans home with a smile on their face.”
McLean was congratulated by a number of past and present City team mates - including Alex Tettey and Kieran Dowell - after posting 'What a night' on his social media account.
The former Aberdeen midfielder also hailed the second half impact of former Norwich City loanee Billy Gilmour in a win that moved Scotland five points clear in Group A, ahead of hosting second-placed Georgia on Tuesday.
"The way we defended was outstanding and you always give yourself that chance in the game," he said. "It was a tough moment to come on. We were 1-0 down, we just wanted to get a bit more control and I thought Billy (Gilmour) changed the game for us when he came on. I told him there would be space for him to get on the ball and he did that.
"The manager just wanted all the subs to bring that energy to the game. Hopefully that little bit of quality.
"The manager and his staff won’t let us get carried away. We have a game quickly on Tuesday. We can enjoy this but not too much. We know how important the next one is."
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