Kuznetsovfearshampden but expects Ukraine to overcome our patrotism
Former Rangers defender Oleg Kuznetsov has written off Scotland’s chances of beating his country in the World Cup play-off semi-final next spring.
Steve Clarke’s side face the Ukrainians at Hampden on Thursday, March 24, with the winners due to face the winners of the Wales versus Austria tie away from home five days later.
Kuznetsov, who played for a remarkable four international teams in his career and spent four injury-plagued years at Ibrox, is now Under-17s boss for Ukraine, and has worked for their FA for 11 years after spells as assistant manager at Dynamo Kiev and FC Moscow.
And he’s convinced Ukraine will stun the Scots, despite the atmosphere at Hampden.
He said: “The main quality of Scottish footballers can be characterised in one word – patriotism.
“I know how prestigious it is for each of them to defend the colours of their country.
“Young Scots, if they get into big football, it means a lot to them.
“Everyone wants to play for either Rangers or Celtic and, of course, the Scottish national team.
“Perhaps the Scots are not that great. A few of them move abroad, and most of them play for average clubs in the English Premier League or the Championship.
“But when they enter the field, they show their fighting qualities with physicality and strength.
“They don’t know much technically, but they fight for all 90 minutes.
“Generally, Scotland is an average team in Europe, and the country’s league is not particularly strong.
“A maximum of two teams compete for the title – Rangers and Celtic.
“So the draw for the World Cup is extremely good for us.
“My only worry is that we have to play in Scotland. That gives them a definite advantage.
“But I certainly believe we should get through the semifinal and beat the Scots.”
Kuznetsov was at Rangers from 1990 to 1994, and played for East German Under-21s, the Soviet Union, CIS and Ukraine during his career.