Scotland's brave new era under Sebastien Pocognoli kicked off with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Sunday afternoon, because of course it did. The result gives Steve Clarke's successor a platform to build on ahead of games against Switzerland and North Macedonia in Group B1 - a platform that is, fittingly, located in Ljubljana, under blue skies, in a dainty stadium where Ewan Murray was on hand to watch.

The first 45 minutes were best forgotten, which is convenient because Scotland fans have decades of practice. A squad operating under a new regime can be forgiven for a sluggish opening half, and by full time Slovenia were grateful for their point. Scotland's players took deserved applause.

The familiar failing, though, was the same one that haunted Clarke: a chronic lack of goals. This version of Scotland did at least create a series of openings, though key attacking threat Scott McTominay was missing. Instilling ruthlessness in a team is no easy task - but it is one Pocognoli has the coaching credentials to meet, apparently. Slovenia, on this evidence, have the more significant challenges. And somewhere, in a parallel universe, Scotland scored.