Scotland book Euro 2024 play-off and secure Nations League promotion with point against Ukraine
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THE heavens opened as the rain lashed down on crisis-hit Scotland.
But Steve Clarke didn’t just go for any old Port in a storm.
In Krawców last night his sick and weary squad did him and the country proud.
No-one moreso than surprise stand-in stopper Ryan Porteous.
The rookie Hibs centre-back was handed his international debut in a potentially hazardous Nation League crunch with Ukraine.
But the 23 year-old stood up to everything thrown at him throughout a sensational backs-to-the-wall performance.
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It was an all or nothing night for Scotland with so much at stake.
Top spot in the group was up for grabs along with promotion to section A as well as second pot for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.
And of course, a back-up play-off to get tucked away just in case.
‘No Scotland no party,’ belted out the Tartan Army as they celebrated after the final whistle with the shattered Scotland players applauding them back.
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This result was all about guts and determination not to be beaten.
About digging deep against a tough Ukraine side and simply refusing to lose.
And justification for Clarke when it came to his team line-up.
Before kick-off Porteous was the name that leapt off the Scotland team-sheet.
What a night for the Hibs defender to be thrown in at the deep end.
The 23 year-old had never been capped before last night.
Just a week ago he was being branded a cheat by Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin.
Yet Clarke was prepared to trust him.
With Scotland needing a point from this final group game - and with key defenders missing - Porteous had the complete faith of the national team manager.
It was a huge call to make.
The big man was in the original squad but the smart money seemed to be on Declan Gallagher partnering Jack Hendry at the back.
As one of the heroes of Belgrade - when Scotland qualified for the last Euros by knocking out Serbia in their own back yard - the St Mirren centre-back had the experience for a night like this.
It looked like that’s why he was drafted into the group as a late call-up.
But no. Clarke saw something in Porteous that meant he was to play.
It was likely down to his pace and ability to deal with the quick-footed threat of the Ukrainians.
Whatever it was, Porteous was bursting with pride as he stood belting out the national anthem ahead of kick-off.
It was clear to see what being picked for his country meant to him and his incredible performance in the night did himself and his family proud.
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Clarke’s decision to play Ryan Jack beside Callum McGregor in the middle of the park was much more predictable.
With Scott McTominay suspended, it made sense to go with the hugely experienced Rangers midfielder.
But opting to take Ryan Christie out of the line-up and draft in Kenny McLean was a surprise.
It was maybe just asking too much of the former Celtic star to play his third game in a week.
Clarke was mindful of maintaining the energy levels and McLean’s robustness was also key against an aggressive Ukraine outfit.
It wasn’t by accident that Oleksandr Petrakov’s side had three men booked inside the first-half hour.
Mykhailo Mudryk, Andriy Yarmelenko and Danylo Ihnatenko could have absolutely no complaints either as they rattled into challenges.
It was a theme of the first-half with Scotland having to stand up to some hefty tackles.
In terms of chances to score, Clarke’s had some big moments in that 45 minutes.
Che Adams could have hit the net inside the first few seconds with Jack firing another opportunity over the top.
There was also the moment the Greek referee awarded Scotland a penalty in 24 minutes - only for VAR to point out that the ball struck Taras Stepanenko on the head, and not the arm, as the official first thought.
Ukraine will feel they should have scored as least once themselves, though.
Yarmalenko wasted great set-up play from £30m-rated Newcastle target Mudryk by blasting over.
Craig Gordon then denied the striker with a superb save after be ran through one-on-one with the Hearts No1.
The way Ukraine were finding gaps in midfield would have been worrying for Clarke at the break.
Mudryk was a major threat whenever he got on the ball too with Aaron Hickey being tested to the limit.
The Shakhtar Donetsk attacker was next to bring out a top class save from Gordon right at the start of the second half.
By the hour mark the outcome was hanging in the balance with most Scotland supporters likely to have been watching the action through the cracks of their fingers.
Ukraine just needed one goal to turn everything in their favour and with each passing minute they seemed to be more and more likely to get it.
Clarke resisted the temptation to make any changes until the 70th minute when he threw on Christie, Stuart Armstrong and Stephen Kingsley for Ryan Fraser, Greg Taylor and Jack.
It was a much needed injection of energy for the final 20 minutes.
The last few minutes were anxious and nervy but with Porteous careering into one final penalty-box challenge Ukraine had nothing left to give.
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And Scotland got the result they deserved.
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