Scots are all about long balls & fighting
Ukraine star Mykola Matviyenko has dismissed Scotland as long-ball thugs in a damning assessment of their World Cup foes.
Scotland face Ukraine at Hampden in the play- off semi-final with the winners due to face either Wales or Austria away.
Ukraine boss Oleksandr Petrakov was criticised in his homeland for appearing to celebrate being paired against Scotland when the draw was made.
He later insisted his reaction was because of relief his nation had avoided Italy and Portugal – and has been at pains to state since then he fully respects Steve Clarke’s side.
However, Sha k hta r Donetsk sar Matviyenko, who is three caps short of a half- century – pulled no punches when asked for his opinion on Scotland.
He said: “Scotland are quite strong but you have to be honest and accept they are no Italy or Portugal.
“Everything depends on how we play.
“To be honest, I haven’t looked carefully at Scotland yet to analyse their players or their style of play.
“But, of course, I know that Scottish football is all about long balls, fights and big throw-ins into the box.
“And we will have to focus on the physical side of their game carefully.”
If Scotland do manage to progress, the Tartan Army potentially faces a huge scramble for tickets after the Welsh FA announced just 1800 briefs would be made available to Austrian fans for their semi-final.
If the Welsh are successful at the Cardiff City Stadium, it would l ikely leave thousands of Scots fans locked out of the final.
Scotland would receive a far higher al location if Austria made it through though – their Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna has a capacity of 50,865.