CLARKE WARY OF UKRAINE THREAT

any attempt to play mind games, Clarke said: ‘We’ll not be paying attention to any of that talk whatsoever. ‘It’s good we are playing. We wanted the game to go ahead, no one wanted anyone to get a bye or to not play the match. ‘It’s good they’ve had the chance to get out of the country and some of them have been in a training camp for a few weeks. ‘They’ve been playing with Shakhtar and Dynamo. Obviously they have another nine or ten boys from around Europe who will join them. ‘They will have a good camp. They will be 100-per-cent ready — just as we will be. ‘Everyone is saying they will be so motivated. But I think you’ll find our lads will be motivated to get to Qatar as well. ‘We’ve waited a long time for this situation. It’s difficult for a country like Scotland to qualify for a World Cup. ‘It’s difficult to put yourselves in

this position, where we are two games away from going to Qatar. ‘Myself, my staff and my players are all determined to be there.’ Kieran Tierney was the headline omission from the squad with the Arsenal full-back still recovering from knee surgery. ‘It’s probably a disappointment for everybody — the fans, the media — but we’ve known for a few weeks that Kieran wasn’t going to make it,’ Clarke (pictured) said. ‘And he himself has known the same so he has got his head around it now and is working on his rehab to be ready for his pre-season with Arsenal. It’s disappointing, disappointing for Kieran and for us but it’s a chance for someone else.’ Nathan Patterson does make the squad after ankle surgery, however, despite the Everton full-back also being sidelined for the past two months.

Tempering expectations that the former Rangers player will be ready next Wednesday, Clarke added: ‘Nathan is slightly different. He’s on schedule. If you’re looking at it sensibly he will probably return to train with a group for the first time when he comes to join us. ‘The Ukraine game is probably just going to come too soon for him but you never know, he’s a young man, he might hit the ground running. We won’t rule him out completely.’ Billy Gilmour retains his place despite the scare of the rolled ankle which forced him to miss Norwich’s final game of the season against Tottenham. The Chelsea midfielder has endured a tough loan spell at Carrow Road with some supporters blaming him for the club’s relegation from the Premier League. Asked if Gilmour would need an arm around the shoulder, Clarke said: ‘Not from me. Not from the Tartan Army. He has done well for us. He enjoys coming away to the camp, he enjoys the way we play and the way we utilise him in the team. ‘The club business is all part of the learning process for Billy.’ Ryan Fraser misses out again through injury. Adamant that the door remains open for the Newcastle winger despite him pulling out of the squad to face Moldova last year only to be photographed training with his club, Clarke said: ‘Yes, he’s injured.’ Meanwhile, Clarke believes that Scotland have finalised their hotel and training ground arrangements for Qatar in line with FIFA’s demands. ‘That’s pretty much sorted, as it’ll be for everyone,’ he said. ‘Wales and Ukraine will be the same. You have to choose a venue. I leave it to other people. You have to give them three venues, a 1-2-3, so every country will have done it, so hopefully we get to use it.’