LONDON (AFP) - Scotland manager Steve Clarke expects Ukraine to be focused in their World Cup play-off showdown despite the impact of the war in their homeland.
Clarke’s side host Ukraine on June 1, in a rescheduled play-off semifinal which was due to be played in March before Russia-Ukraine war led to a postponement.
Ukraine have been working at a training camp in Slovenia for several weeks and Clarke believes they will arrive in Glasgow determined to try to secure a place at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
“We all understand and respect the position of the Ukrainian team,” Clarke said on Monday. “Fortunately for them they’ve managed to get out of the country and get their players into a training camp.
“They’ve been playing matches and they’ll be ready for the game. The most important thing for me as the Scotland head coach is to make sure we’re ready for the game, and we will be ready. Both teams will be ready to go on June 1.”
When the war began there were doubts about whether Ukraine would be able to fulfil the fixture, but Clarke is delighted they can have a fair shot at qualification.
If Scotland beat Ukraine they would travel to Cardiff to face Wales in the play-off final on June 5.
Scotland, 39th in the FIFA rankings, have not played at a World Cup since the 1998 tournament in France.