IT JUST wouldn't be Scotland if they did things the easy way. And it certainly wouldn't be Scotland in the Faroes.

But when the frights and fears of the second half in Toftir last night have long since slipped from memory, the fact Alex McLeish's side won 2-0 will be firmly enshrined in the record books.

Just how important this win will prove to be, time will tell.

What is known is anything left behind on a very unhappy hunting ground for Scotland, would have done serious damage to our chances of qualifying for Euro 2008.

With the win safely locked away, McLeish and his players can concentrate on playing underdog instead of playing against the underdogs.

You get the impression they are all much happier at the prospect of a bit of giant-killing against qualification favourites Italy, France and Ukraine, than they were about the challenge of laying ghosts to rest in Toftir.

That test now passed, it is into the home straight in the race for the finals in Austria and Switzerland, which kick off a year today.

It is doubtful that any other obstacle still to be negotiated - including France away in September and finally Italy at home on November 17 - will require as much nerve as this one.

All the fears about a bobbly pitch and the conditions proved unfounded. The surface was a little bumpy, but nothing like it had been twice before here.

That was a major relief to the Scotland party and the Tartan Army, who elected to make their way by flotilla from the capital city on an adjacent island and should officially now be renamed the Tartan Navy.

But the important condition was the Scotland players' mentality. And, thankfully, there was a determination not to slip on this potential banana skin.

And when Shaun Maloney opened the scoring after half an hour of probing and prodding by Scotland, any lingering nerves appeared to be settled.

Boyd was tugged back by the tough-as-teak captain, Oli Johannesen - who was toiling to get breath after suffering a suspected broken nose just six minutes into the game, an injury that forced him off before the break.

From the free kick 20 yards out, Maloney left former Partick Thistle keeper Jakup Mikkelsen rooted to the spot as the ball was whipped over the wall and in at his right post.

Cue a hoolie on the hillside enjoyed by the Scottish element in the crowd.

Five minutes later, after patient build up play on the right between Darren Fletcher and Paul Hartley, the Man United midfielder flighted the ball into the unmarked Garry O'Connor.

His first effort was blocked point blank by the keeper, but O'Connor kept his cool and controlled the ball before slotting home the rebound.

You could almost see the Faroes deflate as the Scotland players took control.

However, the fact Italy had been in an identical position against the Islanders at the weekend, only to be in danger of a terminal collapse after a late goal by the home side, meant Scotland had to be on their guard.

Unfortunately, it was allowed to slip after the break, and the tactic of launching high balls up to the front two played right into the hands of the big home defenders, who quickly turned defence into attack.

McLeish could be seen urging his defence and midfield to push out, to distance the rejuvenated Faroes from the Scots goal.

Fatigue was clearly a factor. But nerves also became frayed. Fortunately, Gordon kept his intact, and was there to thwart the increasingly-confident home side.

The cool keeper was facing not only fired up Faroes - who could boast nothing like the Hearts' star's composure - but a brilliant sun which shone directly into his face for the entire second half.

But he survived, as did his goal. The woodwork helped on two occasions, but none of this is important in the grand scheme of things.

What matters is the Scots put this game behind them without suffering any lasting damage.

They won a tricky tie, with important players in Fletcher, Maloney and Boyd - who were all subbed - performing well below their best.

Have Scotland finally turned the corner? It's too early to say, though McLeish's men are up with the pace-setters in the this ultra-tough group, which is an achievement in itself. They are at least on the right road in the company of players who can get results when they matter.

The route to the finals no longer needs a detour through the Faroes, so much baggage has finally been jettisoned.

That's got to be a load off the national side's mind-set.