Scotland manager Walter Smith praised Kenny Miller for putting his Celtic woes behind him to score in the 2-1 defeat of Lithuania in Kaunas.
"He's been through a tough time for his club, but he's always been fantastic for us," said Smith. "And we are absolutely delighted with the result.
"It was unfortunate that his booking means he misses the France game.
"But people are getting booked for very little these days and other teams are going to lose players as well."
Scotland have six points from their first two games in a Euro 2008 qualifying group that also includes the more fancied Italy, France and Ukraine.
"I'm gutted that I'm going to miss the next game against France"
"Everybody knows we have very difficult games ahead of us against teams above us in the rankings," said Smith.
"But we go into those in good spirits as, looking at Lithuania's results in recent years, they are always close.
"Lithuania came back with a fantastic goal and that put us under a bit of pressure, but it was pressure you would expect at that late stage."
Miller, yet to score for new club Celtic, had mixed feelings as he left the Dariaus Ir Gireno Stadium.
"I feel I have been playing well with Celtic, but you are always judged on goals as a striker," he said.
"So hopefully that performance will spur me on."
However, Miller was angry about his second yellow card in a week.
"I've kicked the ball out the pitch, but the boy has kicked me and I got booked for it," he said.
"I still don't know why I was booked against the Faroes.
"Now I'm gutted that I'm going to miss the next game against France."
Scotland defender Steven Pressley had a double reason to celebrate after winning his 30th cap.
"It is a proud moment to break Bobby Walker's record and become the most-capped Hearts player," he said.
"Italy, France and Ukraine will not find it easy to come here and win."