Che Adams scores hat-trick as Scotland cruise to 4-0 win over Liechtenstein

Scotland enjoyed a morale-boosting 4-0 win over Liechtenstein in their friendly in Vaduz, with Che Adams scoring a hat-trick in a comfortable victory.

George Hirst also got his first international goal as the Ipswich striker picked up his third cap.

Steve Clarke used the depth of his squad after Friday’s disappointing home defeat to Iceland, with some changes enforced through injury and the head coach also taking an opportunity to have a first look at a number of players.

Injury to goalkeepers Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie, along with Ciaran Slicker’s difficult debut on Friday, prompted Clarke to call Ross Doohan into the squad and put him straight into the starting line-up.

Teenage midfielder Lennon Miller was also handed his first start, and Adams, Anthony Ralston, Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna as Clarke reverted to a 4-4-2 formation after fielding a five-man defence on Friday.

The nature of that defeat to Iceland had the Tartan Army in gloomy mood ahead of the last international before the World Cup qualifiers later this year, but it didn’t take long for a Scotland goal to lift things.

Adams put the visitors ahead after just four minutes when he was first to react to a blocked Miller shot, thumping home a powerful finish from inside the box.

The Torino striker then capitalised on poor defending to score his second with a low shot after 25 minutes but despite dominating the ball, Scotland couldn’t add to the scoreline in the remainder of the first half.

Early in the second period, they had the travelling support roaring again. John McGinn hit the post with a speculative effort from 20 yards but Anthony Ralston picked up the ball and swung in a cross that Adams nodded on and Hirst scored at the back post.

With a comfortable victory assured, and no real threat from the hosts, Clarke was able to make a raft of changes and brought Josh Doig, Andy Irving, Keiron Bowie and Connor Barron on for their debuts.

Adams completed his hat-trick in injury time to round off a satisfying night for the team and ensure they go into World Cup qualifying on the back of a victory.

The campaign to try and reach World Cup 2026 begins with an away double-header against Denmark and Belarus in September.