Alex McLeish's side was humiliated 3-0 in Kazakhstan in its Group I opener three days prior and it again struggled to find any rhythm, despite facing the lowest ranked team in the world.

McLean's fourth-minute header, his first international strike, put the Tartan Army on track for a morale-boosting win but Scotland toiled at San Marino Stadium.

Russell, however, netted in the second half to ensure Scotland has three points on which it can build when its EURO 2020 qualifying campaign resumes in June.

Scotland opened the scoring with its first meaningful attack when a short corner was taken to Ryan Fraser and his in-swinging cross was deftly flicked in by a diving McLean.

Elia Benedettini made a brilliant double save to deny Stuart Armstrong and Adolfo Hirsch wasted a rare San Marino chance by finding the side netting after rounding Scott Bain.

Filippo Berardi went down in the box under Scott McKenna's clumsy challenge but referee Manuel Schuttengruber waved away hopeful San Marino appeals for a penalty.

Home captain Davide Simoncini superbly blocked a Fraser shot but Scotland finally settled any nerves with their second goal in the 74th minute.

With San Marino pushing upfield they got caught short at the back and Russell stayed cool to fire home his first Scotland goal when James Forrest's cross found him in the penalty area.

Substitute Marc McNulty should have added a late third for Scotland but badly miscued his header from a Forrest delivery, summing up his side's glaring issues in front of goal.