STRICKEN SCOTLAND DUG deep into their reserves in more ways than one for a goalless draw against Ukraine to win their Nations League group and gain promotion to League A.
Steve Clarke’s side, depleted by injuries and suspension, needed only a point to finish top of Group B1 and they had to ride their luck at times before celebrating a massive result in the Cracovia Stadium.
Ukraine, beaten 3-0 at Hampden Park last week, missed two great chances in particular in the goalless first half and keeper Craig Gordon looked in unbeatable form.
Scotland finished two points clear of Oleksandr Petrakov’s side at the top of Group B1 and aside from promotion to the top tier, a place among the second seeds for the European Championship qualifiers and a play-off spot for that competition if the normal qualification campaign does not go to plan was also secured.
Clarke’s squad was shorn of several certain starters, mostly in defence.
Grant Hanley, Liam Cooper and skipper Andy Robertson had failed to make the squad for the triple-header due to injury and they were joined on the sidelines by, among others, Kieran Tierney, Nathan Patterson, Scott McKenna and Scott McTominay, the latter suspended, while a virus had also affected the camp.
In the event, there were six changes from the weekend’s win over the Republic of Ireland with 23-year-old Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous pitched in for his debut and Kenny McLean, Greg Taylor, Ryan Jack, Ryan Fraser and Che Adams back in the side.
The match was played in Poland due to Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine and officially there were 3,000 Tartan Army inside the 15,000-capacity stadium making plenty of noise as the Scots started purposefully.
In the second minute Ukraine keeper Andriy Lunin saved Adams’ strike down at his right-hand post for a corner which was defended.
Ukraine settled and should have gone ahead in the seventh minute when speedy winger Mykhailo Mudryk picked out unmarked captain Andriy Yarmolenko at the back post but he volleyed high over the bar with only Gordon to beat.
There was another let-off for the Scots in the 22nd minute when Artem Dovbyk ran on to Yarmolenko’s wonderful pass and past Porteous but the veteran Hearts keeper was equal to the shot.
There was drama minutes later when Greek referee Tasos Sidiropoulos awarded Scotland a penalty for a Taras Stepanenko handball in the box from a Fraser shot but ruled it out after a VAR check.
In the 31st minute Jack fired over the bar from 16 yards after the Blue and Yellow struggled with another corner, before the unmarked Stepanenko headed over at the other end from a Ukraine corner.
Gordon had two good saves early in the second half, from Mudryk and Danylo Ihnatenko.
Ukraine continued to be foiled by the offside flag but they looked the more likely to make the breakthrough with the sliding Illia Zabarnyi knocking a shot over the bar from close range.
In the 70th minute, as the rain continued to drizzle, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Stephen Kingsley came on for Taylor, Fraser and Jack before Lyndon Dykes replaced Adams.
Scotland had to repel increasing pressure from Ukraine – Stepanenko fired a drive wide – and they battled with everything they had through four minutes of added time to keep the point which has so many positive ramifications.
I wonder might Schmidt regret leaving out Olding? Played very well against Toulon and getting two tries tonight shows he deserves a place on the panel.
Olding was terrific in what were poor conditions against weak opposition but still a fine performance. Great prospect at FB or midfield. Ulster pack were poor and Paul Marshall was bloody awful. Ulster should have scored 5 or 6 tries instead of only 3.
No doubt he’ll play a part in the Georgia game. He’s an exciting prospect, but as a 12, he’s unlikely to play a part in a game against SA if D’Arcy is available. D’Arcy’s experience will be too important.
But Schmidt called him up into the squad for the upcoming games, Conor.
Olding is in the extended squad! He’s played fullback, 12 and covered and played (I think) at 10 this year. A bolter possibly to replace mads as bench cover with possibly gilroy and marmion/redden the other bench spots for the backs
Paul Marshall was a mixed bag. He played really well in the first half but something happened in the 2nd and his performance started to deteriorate. His line breaks are instinctual and wonder if this is why they appear to end in recycled possession. Would really like to see him kick through or chip ahead in his line breaks to put the opposition under more pressure.
Olding a ray of light in an otherwise incipid ulster performance, second half especially. The team is hardly recognisable from two years ago.
How did McCloskey play?
Strangely he was subbed for Humphreys and given PJs kicking wasnt great and Stuart was doing damage. In the first half they played a broken fielding kicking game.
He was a threat. The Dragons needed to tackle him in numbers.
Lovely touch for Olding’s 2nd. Starting to look a bit more confident. He is willing to try the kick through. One lovely clearance kick too.
Defensively he remains solid, although, I’d love to see him start to read ahead a bit and really get up in some opposition faces. That said he doesn’t miss with his tackles.
A big Heineken and international future hopefully awaits. I’d imagine his physical presence and good handling could be pretty useful for executing backs moves. There’s some strength in depth at 12 in Ulster
He did fair bit of kicking and created panic in the defensive line as well as his line breaking skills.
Sorry that was Olding
I’m a huge fan of Olding and look forward to seeing him in starting Irish jersey.
I’m picking at hairs here but following your comment about his defence…he missed tackles against Toulon, so we can’t say its “solid” just yet.
He’ll need to be able to manage big opposition like Bastareaud better before Schmidt will risk starting him over another established international.
Plenty of international standard players miss tackles against Bastareaud!
Yeah but the better ones don’t.
I’m sure Bastareuad is a nightmare to defend against, but no doubt Stuart will have learned a lot from those two missed opportunities and next time his hips & feet will be in a better position.
Sorry, Chris, was referring to McCloskey.