Gemmillwarnsplayers:Noreactions

SCOT GEMMILL has warned his Scotland players not to react to any roughhouse tactics from Ukraine tonight.

The Under-21 boss admitted Latvia dished out some meaty challenges in Friday’s 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park.

Scotland needed a late Ryan Hardie penalty to salvage a point but can jump above Holland into second with a win tonight. The Baltic bruisers were reduced to 10 men after a shocking tackle on Chris Cadden and Gemmill predicted another physical battle in their Group 4 clash.

Without John Souttar after he suffered a head knock, Gemmill said: “There were a few tackles in the game to be honest.

“There was one off the ball on Oliver McBurnie and the one on Scott Wright. Our players have to be ready not to react to that.

“It happened in Latvia away from home and we managed to score from when Lewis Morgan was tackled heavily in the corner.

“The players have to learn not to react to it because the referees won’t tolerate a reaction.

“Ukraine are a very physical, very quick team and I’m sure it will be that kind of game.

“If they saw our first-half performance from Friday then they’ll be coming to try to force us in to those areas.

“We didn’t keep the ball well enough and we need to play well. There is no doubt Ukraine will put us under that kind of pressure.

“Every time the players play it is a hurdle for them to get over and show they can play at this level.”