GIVE US A LEG UP
Faddy insists one game shoot-out is great for Scotland as he tells fans to...
JAMES McFADDEN is hoping to hear another major play-off Hampden Roar – and the Tartan Army hero is just glad this time it’s a one-off tie.
The former Scotland star can remember the deafening noise from the stands when his class of 2003 stunned Holland in the first leg of their shoot-out to get to Euro 2004.
But he’s erased the return match from his memory banks.
Perhaps it’s best forgotten given Berti Vogts’ side went from the euphoria of the 1-0 win in Glasgow to the despair of a six-goal chasing in Amsterdam a few days later.
McFadden is thrilled – and maybe relieved – that Wednesday’s showdown with Ukraine will be done and dusted on the day and he’s got a feeling there will be a repeat of the Dutch delight due to the incredible team spirit built by Steve Clarke.
The former Everton and Motherwell man had selective memory loss when it came to some of the details of 2003, as he joked: “Were there two games against the Netherlands?
“I remember the first game! It was a hope rather than an expectation but the support was there. I speak about the Hampden Roar constantly but that was the best atmosphere I’ve played in.
“We knew we were up against a strong side. They were world-class players playing at the top level and for us to perform we knew we had to play as a team.
“During my time at international level, we never qualified but there was always a club spirit to the national team. We’ve had good players through the years who’ve failed to qualify.
“We’ve had good team spirits and for one reason or another we have failed.
“But huge credit goes to Steve because we’ve got really good players within an atmosphere that people want to turn up and that’s not easy.
“We’ve got a group of players who won’t call off for friendlies, although there are fewer friendlies these days.
“He’s got a group of players who believe in each other, there’s guys like Andy Robertson chasing the quadruple with Liverpool alongside guys who are fighting against relegation from the Premiership. But there is no divide. They are all in it together. Getting that harmony in the squad is key.”
The squad has done the business but McFadden insists it’s the manager who has pulled it altogether.
He said: “Steve understands the demands of the players but he gets the players to understand what he wants.
“We’ve got good players and if the message is clear and simple the players will respond to that.
“He’s been sensational. He came in for stick at the start due to questions over the formation, the style.
“But he’s built something really strong. People have belief back. Nobody wants to play against Scotland.”
True enough. On the flip side, no one really wants to play Ukraine right now either.
McFadden knows a ton of emotional baggage is attached to next week’s clash. Ukraine is in the grip of the Russian invasion and there’s been an outpouring of support for their efforts on the home front and whenever they are involved in any activity on the global stage.
This nation is used to being the underdogs. We revel in it. Not this time. It’s an awkward backdrop but McFadden insisted the emotions will have to be parked. He said: “Ukraine are going to be the team that everyone wants to win in the play-off. But we have to deal with it. “We have to respect the situation over in Ukraine. For us it’s a football match but for them it’s so much more. But when the game comes around, you want to win. Ukraine won’t want any favours. They won’t want people not to turn up. They will want a game because that’s what is right. But it’s strange circumstances, no doubt.”