Cyprus created the better of the early opportunities with Allan McGregor touching a shot on to the crossbar from former Rangers team-mate Georgios Efrem.

But Kenny Miller settled the visitors' nerves at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium with a wonderful volley in the 23rd minute and Scotland dominated the remainder of the first half after home midfielder Sinisa Dobrasinovic hit the post from long range.

Jamie Mackie jinked his way past a defender to hit another excellent goal in the 56th minute but Dimitris Christofi, with an angled drive, soon hit back after Phil Bardsley had been caught out on his inside.

Scotland held on comfortably for their seventh win in 11 internationals and Levein said: "We got a victory away from home against a very good attacking team.

"In international football you don't often get many chances, and I felt we had enough chances tonight that would normally come our way in two international games.

"Coming away from home at any time in the international game, it's difficult to win. We managed to do that tonight.

"There were some good performances and overall I'm a happy chappie.

"It was quite a competitive match. Comparing it to a lot of international matches, there were a lot of chances.

"You have to bear in mind Cyprus went to Portugal in the last campaign and drew 4-4.

"The best part of their game is the attacking side. We were always going to have to defend well tonight, I didn't expect us to have complete domination and not give up any chances.

"We looked at DVDs and understood we would have to defend properly."

The Scotland manager admitted his side had been careless in their own half during the opening 20 minutes.

"There are a few guys who haven't played for a little while and I felt it took us a little bit to get into the match," he said.

"But I felt the first half we passed the ball pretty well going forward and, looking at the nature of the chances Cyprus had, we caused our own problems at times just giving up possession in pretty safe areas and inviting the attacks on top of us. But overall I'm pleased."

Miller took his Scotland tally to 16 while Mackie marked his first Scotland game in a year in style.

Levein said: "They were fantastic goals. Kenny has scored regularly for Scotland but I don't think he will have scored many better than that one.

"It was a wonderful pass from Christophe Berra and a sublime finish.

"And I was really thrilled for Jamie Mackie because he has been out for a long time with a broken leg and the first time he comes back in to the team he gets the goal and had a pretty good performance all round.

"He said himself 'I should have had three goals'. He got himself in some great situations, the keeper made a good save and there was a block as well."

Levein handed a debut to Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes in the 87th minute

"I did want to bring him on earlier but we didn't dominate the game as much as we would have liked, if it had stayed 2-0 he would have been on earlier," he said.

"But I was pleased for him. The intention tonight was to reward him for his performances at his club."

Meanwhile, the Scotland boss explained why most of the poppy armbands that the players wore to mark Armistice Day were strewn across the pitch after the opening minutes.

"They had a problem with the Velcro attachment and spent a lot of time trying to get them fixed but a lot of them didn't actually hold together very well at all," he said.

"I just want to explain that to people. They weren't taking the armbands off for any other reason than they wouldn't stay on.

"We were proud to wear the armbands tonight as you might well imagine."

(reopens)

Mackie was determined to score to repay Levein for his faith after he handed him a start one month into his return following a nine-month lay-off.

The QPR player, who has scored two goals in four internationals, has only played five games for his club since his return.

"I'm delighted to be back and I thank the manager for selecting me as soon as I'm fit," Mackie said.

"I haven't played 90 minutes yet. I'm getting my sharpness back for every game.

"I owe him a lot and I want to put in performances for him. That will go some way to thanking him.

"It was a good goal and I'm really pleased. I thought I could probably have scored a better one in the first half but it's nice to get on the score sheet."