Scotland midfielder Matt Ritchie believes his side can look forward to the rest of their World Cup qualifying campaign after demolishing Malta 5-1.
Gordon Strachan’s side sit proudly on top of Group F on goal difference after recovering from an unconvincing first-half display to defeat the international minnows with the aid of a Robert Snodgrass hat-trick.
Newcastle United player Ritchie, who set up the two other goals scored by Chris Martin and Steven Flecther, was pleased with his side’s performance.
The Scots face Lithuania in their next group match on October 8.
The Lithuanians conceded in the third minute of injury time as they began their campaign with a 2-2 draw at home against Slovenia.
England are the only other side in the group with three points after Adam Lallana’s late strike gave them a 1-0 win in Slovakia.
Ritchie said: “It is a good result and a good start to the World Cup qualifying campaign, which is what we hoped for.
“It was a good evening for us but it is just one game. We have got a few more to go yet, so we will see where we are after that.
“The manager was positive after that game. Obviously, there are things we need to work on but overall it was a good performance.
“That was important and we can take confidence from the way we played in the second half into the Lithuania game next month.”
