Gordon Strachan felt his Scotland side displayed their mental resolve in scoring four second-half goals to overcome a stubborn Malta side 5-1 on Sunday.
Robert Snodgrass put the Scots ahead early on but the home side responded quickly and went in level at the break.
Strachan felt his side had lost its way somewhat after a positive start but, having had a word at the break, the manager praised his players for their second half showing.
The pressure of having to beat the perceived minnows in their World Cup qualifying group could easily have weighed on his players said Strachan, but instead they got the job done and will have learned for the experience.
“After being 1-0 up and playing really well, losing a goal, that becomes a big moment in people’s careers,” he said.
“Having to deal with the stress of the headlines of tomorrow, the pressure of the fans, you see it in front of you. Can you deal with it? They dealt with it terrifically well.
“Their ability, determination and mental strength more than anything.
You see at 1-1 the headlines could be truly horrific.” Strachan highlighted recent narrow defeats that Malta have suffered against Croatia, Austria and Italy as proof that Scotland had no right to expect an easy time.
Snodgrass completed a hat-trick alongside goals from Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher to leave Strachan purring ahead of next month’s double header with Lithuania and Slovakia before a date with England at Wembley in November.
Scotland are 9.00 to win their 2018 World Cup qualifying group.
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