CHARLIE Mulgrew played his second 90 minutes of the international break as Scotland claimed a crucial win over Slovenia in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

A goal two minutes from time from Fulham striker Chris Martin earned Gordon Strachan’s side a priceless 1-0 win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The win moved Scotland to within two points of second-placed Slovakia at the halfway stage of the qualifying campaign ahead of their next game against England in June.

Mulgrew earned cap number 26 in central defence as his side earned their first clean sheet of the group matches.

It came four days after Mulgrew was included in the 1-1 friendly draw with Canada which was his first cap since since joining Rovers last summer.

Former Rovers Tom Cairney and Jordan Rhodes were unused substitutes, while Grant Hanley was ruled out of the two games with a foot injury.

And Strachan was pleased with the display.

He said: "We had to have special performances because we played against a very good, physical side, and the stress that goes with it as well.

“The players did everything they were asked to. They pushed themselves to another level there. I was calm enough, thinking 'what will be, will be'.

“I was enjoying their performance - technically, fitness wise and their mental strength.

“The points were the most important thing and the performance and everything else helps as well.

“The players have got a feeling they can go and match quite a few international teams now.

“They detached themselves from the emotion of the game to produce things.

“When you are smaller, as we are, you have to be really brave on the ball when you are up against people five or six inches taller than you. So I was really pleased with that. It was a proud performance from us all.”