A MATCH that was raised at First Minister's questions in the Scottish parliament earlier this week has provided Gordon Strachan with some answers.

The Scotland manager was always eager to play a friendly international in the build-up to the Euro 2016 qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin a week today. Coming five weeks after many of his players completed their domestic campaigns with their clubs, the Group D fixture with Martin O'Neill's side poses unique challenges for him.

Who is fit? Who is on form? Who is in need of a rest? There is much for Strachan to reflect on ahead of an outing in the Aviva Stadium which will have a huge bearing on the national team's prospects of reaching the finals in France next year.

The challenge match with Qatar was beset by controversy after it was announced over two months ago due to the alleged human rights abuses of migrant workers involved in the construction of venues for the 2022 World Cup.

Yet, in pure football terms, it served its purpose. Strachan was able to give individuals who will be involved against the Republic of Ireland much-needed game time at Easter Road last night and fine-tune his preparations.

The 1-0 victory his charges recorded in the capital in front of 14,279 of their supporters courtesy of a Matt Ritchie goal was timely ahead of a meeting which promises to be every bit as demanding and intense as their last encounter at Celtic Park back in November.

An inability to create more decent scoring chances in the final third and build on their lead in the second half will have been concerning. So, too, will the fact the visitors were allowed to get shots on target away as they pushed for an equaliser toward the end. But, all in all, it was a worthwhile exercise.

Strachan raised a few eyebrows when he named Ikechi Anya at right back in a 4-4-2 starting line-up. Anya plays at left back or left wing back for Watford and helped his club side win promotion to the Premier League in England this season playing there. It was, though, the first time he had been deployed in defence by his country.

Alan Hutton, who was not involved last night having played with Aston Villa in the FA Cup final last weekend, will, if he is fit and available, start there next weekend. Selecting Anya out of position gave Strachan the opportunity to give him a game after a lengthy lay-off.

The Scottish Football Writers' Association International Player of the Year was his usual lively self, linked well with Ritchie ahead of him and hared upfield frequently. His display pleased his manager greatly.

Charlie Mulgrew, meanwhile, was selected at centre half alongside Gordon Greer and also played for the full game. The versatile player has usually been utilised as a deep-lying central midfielder alongside his Celtic team mate Scott Brown by Scotland in the past. So this, too, was a departure from the norm.

Strachan has, with Charlie Adam, Brown, Darren Fletcher, James McArthur, James Morrison and Mulgrew at his disposal, an embarrassment of riches when it comes to central midfielders just now. Indeed, he admitted this week that department of his squad was the strongest that had been in his two and a half years in charge.

The Scotland manager is an unashamed admirer of Mulgrew. With Grant Hanley of Blackburn Rovers unavailable for this double header due to injury, could he be played in defence once again in seven days' time? He certainly looked comfortable there, admittedly against an inferior quality of opposition than lie ahead, last night.

Steven Naismith, playing up front alongside Shaun Maloney, looked most likely to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes. The Everton forward forced Qatar keeper Lecomte Claude Amine to make two excellent blocks and struck the post. He set up the opening goal six minutes before half-time.

Naismith tried to send the advancing McArthur through on goal. His pass was cleared to the path of Ritchie on the edge of the area and the Bournemouth man drilled a low shot into the bottom right hand corner. It was his first international goal in what was only his third game for his adopted homeland.

The winger qualifies to play for Scotland due to a father who was born in Edinburgh. It was, then, a proud moment for him. As was being named Man of the Match at the end of proceedings.

Morrison replaced McArthur and Craig Gordon come on for David Marshall at the start of the second half. Leigh Griffiths, Darren Fletcher and Adam took over from Naismith, Brown and Maloney respectively on the hour mark.

Naismith had required attention from the Scotland medical staff for a head knock after colliding with Amine in the 53rd minute. He had appeared to have been barged over by Abdelkarim Hassan A Fadlalla as he chased down a Maloney chip into the Qatar penalty box. But referee Sebastien Delferier was not convinced and dismissed appeals for a spot kick.

James Forrest, another Strachan favourite, did well. His selection in the squad ahead of his fellow Celtic players Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven had, given his lack of competitive action this term, puzzled some supporters. But he showed what a threat he poses and more than justified his inclusion before he made way for Johnny Russell in the 74th minute.

Adam, who was presented with a salver to mark the occasion of his 25th cap before kick-off, was sighted in over a year. The Stoke City midfielder showed what he can offer - pinpoint deliveries into dangerous areas - during his time on the park. But the suspicion remains he is not somebody Strachan favours.