THIS would not have done much for Gordon Strachan's appetite for the necessary evil that is the friendly international.

Scotland's opponents may have been controversial, but the outcome and rhythm of what was effectively a warm-up game for next week's qualifier in Dublin was standard.

Qatar aren't much good. Strachan's side didn't have to do much to win, nobody appeared to be injured - even if there was a scare with Steven Naismith - and there were one or two things to enjoy. Roll on the Republic of Ireland.

Scotland as you might expect, were at their opponents from the start. Just three minutes had passed when Matt Ritchie's cutback found James Forrest, who took a touch and then pulled off a shot that was blocked on its way to goal.

The game was played at a slow pace, but when Scotland could be bothered they pieced together some decent moves. One of them came on 17 minutes when left-back Craig Forsyth of Derby County charged into the box. He pulled the ball back for Naismith, whose first time, left- foot shot was saved by Lecomte Amine.

Moments later and Ikechi Anya, who started at right-back, got into the box and his shot went wide of the left hand post. Qatar keeper Amine made a genuinely fine save from Naismith on 22 minutes, getting his hand to a rising effort that would have crept in.

Then from the resulting corner, Charlie Mulgrew had a free header in front of goal yet managed to miss the target. It was all Scotland. A cross from Forsyth on the left touchline on 25 minutes found Ritchie in space but his side-foot on the volley finished in the side-netting.

Shaun Maloney was then denied shortly before the half-hour mark when he was almost through on goal, but was thwarted by a superb tackle from Ahmed Abdelrhman.

The night livened up a bit before half-time when a gentleman ran on the pitch without any clothes on.

He was eventually given the bum's rush by a steward, but not before he started to talk to a few of the Qatar players, shaking hands with one.

This, bizarrely, inspired Scotland and on 41 minutes, Ritchie confidently stroked the ball past Qatar's goalkeeper from the edge of the box after Naismith's attempted pass to James McArthur was deflected into the winger's path. It was his first goal for Scotland.

Before the break, Naismith hit the bottom of the post after beating the offside trap. You felt more goals were guaranteed. Naismith almost provided one on 49 minutes when he headed wide after being left unmarked for a Forsyth corner.

Then a few minutes later came a moment Strachan and Scotland really did not need. Naismith, having been put through on goal by Maloney, was pushed in the back by Abdelkarim Fadlalla and he collided with keeper Amine.

It took him a few minutes to get back on his feet, but the relief was enough for Strachan to forget his side were denied a penalty. The Everton man was soon replaced as changes were made at a rapid rate, including the introduction of Charlie Adam for his 25th cap after a time out of the international arena. Darren Fletcher also came on to a rapturous reception.

Adam's influence was quickly felt when he picked out Leigh Griffiths with a 40-yard pass. The Celtic man headed down for Forrest, who should have done better than punting his shot high. Qatar actually had a shot with 15 minutes to go, Hassan Alhaydos cutting in on his right foot and forcing Craig Gordon into a save.

Then after good work by James Morrison on the right wing, fellow sub Johnny Russell forced Amine into a fine save from close range.

But one goal was all we got at Easter Road. Strachan will be delighted a proper game is a week away.