HANGOVER FROM HELL
Scotland make bevvy weather of big chance
THE skipper turned up on Monday still tasting what he’d been drinking the day before.
But the bitter taste of this deflating defeat is bound to linger far longer as Scotland face up to the sobering reality that Qatar is yet another a party we’re not invited to.
Andy Robertson delayed joining up with Steve Clarke’s squad to take part in a trophy parade with his Liverpool team-mates.
After drinking in their return to tournament football at last summer’s Euros, Clarke’s side were hoping for another Champagne moment at this winter’s World Cup.
Instead, it was Oleksandr Petrakov’s Ukraine stars who gave their war-torn nation a lift. Eyebrows were raised over Robertson’s boozy bus trip but a few scoops might have helped make Scotland’s first-half display take on a more attractive look.
As 45-minute displays go, it was in the 10-pinter range as the ultra-slick Ukrainians gave Clarke’s men the run around.
Scotland should have been the better prepared side with a clutch of stars involved in big glamour games deep into their club campaigns.
The visitors, on the other hand, started with six domestic-based players who had not kicked a meaningful ball since Vladimir Putin invaded their country back in February.
A handful of friendlies were all they had to take their minds, briefly, off the horrors being faced by family and friends back home.
Yet it was Scotland who looked as if they were creeping out of cold storage. A yard slow to react and their reserves of inspiration empty.
Time and again Ukraine, inspired by masterful Man City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko, poured down our right as Aaron Hickey and Scott McTominay rolled about like a couple of teeny tipplers after their first drink.
Apart from Craig Gordon and a couple of others, there weren’t many manning up for this date with destiny.
Gordon underlined his player of the year credentials with two stunning saves – the second from Andriy Yarmolenko almost defied belief.
But there was nothing even he could do as the Ukraine skipper ghosted in between the sleeping Robertson and Liam Cooper to lob home a sensational opener 12 minutes before the break.
Clarke had to do something at the interval before the shifting sands gave way under Scotland’s desert dream.
Replacing Lyndon Dykes was harsh on the big man but the Scots needed an extra body to plug the gap in the centre of midfield where Zinchenko and Co were having far too much joy.
But there was barely any time for replacement Ryan Christie to get a touch before Ukraine doubled their lead.
Roman Yaremchuk climbed above McTominay and Hickey to head home.
Scotland were in trouble and John McGinn headed a sitter wide before Callum McGregor’s shot from keeper Georgiy Bushchan’s spill just made it over the line to offer some late hope.
But that was finally snuffed out as Artem Dovbyk fired home with the last kick of the game to leave the Tartan Army drowning their sorrows.