Ukraine tie dilemma that Clarke must not sway from
Exactly a month from now, Scotland will host Ukraine at Hampden in the World Cup Play-off Semi-final.
The tie will determine which of the two nations goes through to face Wales in Cardiff four days later for the right to play in the Finals in Qatar towards the end of the year.
And let’s be honest here. Just about everyone in the world, outside the two Celtic nations, will be hoping it is the Ukrainians who get the magic ticket.
There will, of course, be Russian football fans who might not be averse to Oleksandr Petrakov’s men falling at one of the final hurdles.
But given their country’s barbaric invasion is the reason the rest of the planet will be willing Scotland’s opponents on, their preferences do not carry quite the same weight as those of the overwhelming majority.
At the same time, Steve Clarke’s side will not necessarily become Public Enemy No. 1 if they beat Ukraine.
Sport has already shown us that does not have to be the case.
In America last month, the US women’ tennis team managed the trick of beating Ukraine in a major play-off, while also demonstrating total support for the visitors.
That support came in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, and took many forms.
All the tourists’ costs were covered, and posters advertising the matches
The atmosphere at a tennis match is very different to a football game
were redrafted from “USA v Ukraine” to instead read “USA hosts Ukraine”.
Fundraising information for Ukraine Crisis Relief was screened throughout the tournament, an effort that brought in nearly $250,000.
The cheerleaders ditched their usual cries of “Go USA”. Spectators encouraged players from both teams.
And when the sides posed for the photographs, the red, white and blue streamers of the home country sat side by side the yellow and blue of the visitors.
It is worth pointing out here that the atmosphere at a tennis match is very different to that which you will encounter at a football game.
Likewise, watching sport in Scotland is a different experience from what you find in America.
However, there is plenty of common ground.
A Hampden friendly against Poland was hurriedly arranged in March when it became clear Ukraine would be unable to fulfil the original date for the semi-final.
It was embraced by the Tartan Army, who snapped almost 40,000 tickets for the game, with £10 per ticket going to UNICEF, earmarked to help Ukrainian children in their war-torn country.
It raised £500,000.
At the match itself, there were nice touches to display solidarity with the nation left back at home.
Hampden was lit up in blue and yellow before kick-off, and the front of the match programme reinforced the theme with Ukraine’s colours.
Players from both teams wore UNICEF T-shirts over their training
gear, and there was a clear verbal message of support from team captain Andy Robertson.
Together with Rachel Corsie, skipper of the Scotland women’s side, who had a World Cup qualifier
in Ukraine postponed until further notice, he stressed the country’s solidarity with Ukraine’s football community.
That, and all efforts to offer financial and emotional support to
Ukraine, were to be applauded.
But what about just over four weeks from now, when the dark blues are actually lining up against the yellow-and-blue shirts of a wartorn nation, which has steadfastly refused to be brought to its knees?
How does Steve Clarke get his players into the right mindset to set sympathy to one side, and get the job done?
It’s a tricky one for the Scotland manager, and as difficult a dilemma as he has faced during almost three years in charge.
On the very rare occasions when you’ve required more than one hand to keep count of Scotland’s goal tally, the fans have demanded even more, with no desire to see us go easy on the opposition.
That attitude will be required against Ukraine.
With their government having given permission for the squad to leave the country and travel to Scotland for the semi-final, the countdown is now underway.
The Ukraine players have begun a month-long training camp to themselves into the best shape they can.
That hasn’t been without controversy, with Dynamo Kyiv – Ukraine’s most-celebrated club – refusing to release their players until nearer the time.
Instead, they required them to see out the series of fundraising “matches for peace” across Europe.
Those games should at least help get those concerned match-sharp for Hampden. But, clearly, it is far from ideal.
So Scotland have the best chance to reach the biggest stage for the first time since 1998 by first beating Ukraine.
Yes, do it with dignity – but just do it.