Sheffield United: John Fleck's Scotland debut ends in disappointment after 4-0 hammering by Russia

Fleck played 82 minutes of the Scots 4-0 hammering by Russia in their Euro 2020 qualifier in Moscow, a result that means Steve Clarke’s side will need the play-off they reached by way of the Nations League, if they are to make next summer's tournament.

All four of Russia's goals came in a second half capitulation with Artem Dzyuba scoring twice.

Goalkeeper David Marshall had rarely been troubled before three goals in 13 minutes around the hour mark made it five defeats in seven qualifiers for the visitors.

Dzyuba netted following two corners - the second game running Scotland have conceded twice in the same circumstances - and Magomed Ozdoev thumped home from long range.

Aleksandr Golovin slotted home from 10 yards in the 84th minute to make it a second consecutive four-goal loss for the Scots.

Clarke handed debuts to Michael Devlin and Lawrence Shankland, the latter from the bench, as well as Fleck but he is still left seeking a way to turn around Scotland's form after losing 13 goals in four successive defeats.

Fleck’s contribution was limited in an attacking sense, though he did play his part in helping Scotland remain tight in the first half – breaking up play effectively and picking up a yellow card in the process after a heavy challenge on Aleksandr Golovin.

The Scots now bid to lift the morale of the nation when they host San Marino, who lost 9-0 to Belgium, on Sunday.

Clarke said afterwards: "We conceded a soft goal, the first goal was soft from the corner. Man-on-man we have to do better. From there we quickly found ourselves out of the game, allowed the game to run away from us. We have to put it down to fragile confidence, players seem to lose heart very easily, which is unfortunate because we had done okay up to that point."

The manager was asked what he had to do to get his side ready for the play-offs that begin in March.

"Hard work,” he added. “Maybe one or two different selections in terms of squad as well as starting eleven, it's something I've got to look at.

"Obviously, we can't keep conceding goals. You have to give a nod of your head to the quality opposition we've played recently - Belgium and Russia - two very good teams who I'm sure will be involved in the latter stages of Euro 2020.

"For us it's to try and make sure this is the very, very bottom of the lowest and then build from here and make sure come March we're able to be very competitive and get through the play-offs to give ourselves a chance to be in the same championships."

He added: "I think in all the games we've played there have been moments where you can see what we're trying to do and where we're trying to get to. But, obviously, the results are dreadful. There's no getting away from that. I'm not going to hide behind that, we have to do better.

"We have to make sure as a group of people working together we keep improving. And like I say this is the lowest of the low.

"On the back of a 4-0 defeat, off the back of two 4-0 defeats - yeah, it feels difficult. But I was brought up the hard way, I'm in for the fight and I think the players are in for the fight too."

Fleck started in the absence of the suspended Scott McTominay and injured Kenny McLean, who withdrew on Wednesday, while Oliver Burke was handed the striker's role.

Russia were making their first appearance in Moscow since knocking Spain out of the World Cup and they were eager to impress more than 70,000 fans.

The home full-backs pushed right up and Scotland survived some dangerous balls into the box with the help of some decent blocks and clearances.

Golovin curled a free-kick which brushed the top of the net after being tripped by Fleck and the Monaco playmaker forced the first save in the 40th minute when Marshall parried his 20-yard strike to safety. Soon after, Callum McGregor made a crucial penalty-box block.

Scotland had their first-half moments without ever getting a shot away. Burke caused problems up to a point with his running with the ball, but his decision-making and execution let him down at the crucial moments.

Robert Snodgrass almost got into good positions from the Alaves player's lay-offs but lacked the pace to trouble the hosts.

Shankland came on at half-time and showed some good touches as Scotland improved in possession in the opening stages.

But they conceded from Russia's first attack of the half in the 57th minute. Golovin swung over a corner and Dzyuba held off Mulgrew and volleyed into the top corner from eight yards.

The hosts doubled the lead three minutes later after stretching Scotland. The ball was laid back to Ozdoev 25 yards out and the midfielder lashed his shot into the top corner.

The chances kept coming. Dzyuba chipped a shot on to the bar from a tight angle three minutes later after Scotland appeared to have averted a counter-attack and the skipper dragged a shot wide after losing Devlin from a throw-in.

The third came in the 70th minute after another corner. Russia took it short this time but Scotland switched off before Golovin swung a cross beyond the back post. Mario Fernandes sneaked round the back and headed back into the six-yard box and the outnumbered Dzyuba ultimately stabbed the ball home.

Substitute Ryan Christie almost had a golden chance to pull one back after a slack pass from Russia goalkeeper Guilherme but Georgi Dzhikiya produced a goal-saving slide tackle.

Christie soon got Scotland's first shot on target but hit it straight at the keeper from 25 yards.

That was as good as it got for the Scots. Dzyuba soon set up Golovin to steer a shot just inside the post and the final whistle came as a relief to the visiting fans.