We’ll play to WIN against Ukraine, nothing else says Steve Clarke as he gives Tierney and Hickey injury updates
SCOTLAND are within just one point of claiming a Nations League top spot.
But Steve Clarke vowed his side will play to WIN against Ukraine in Tuesday’s crunch decider.
Ryan Christie’s 82nd minute penalty beat the Republic of Ireland at Hampden.
The Tartan Army now head to Krakow in Poland knowing a draw will be enough to win Group B1.
Scott McTominay is ruled out through suspension with Kieran Tierney a doubt after being substituted with a head knock.
But Clarke insists: “No, we play every game to win.
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“We’ve got a lot of knocks and little niggles as you can imagine being asked to play two really tough, really frantic, really quick games.
“We risked a lot in both games, so we’ve got one or two knocks and niggles and concerns, but we can deal with that in the next 24 hours.”
Scotland must now avoid defeat in Poland to top the section and earn promotion to League A.
Winning the group would also enhance the seeding prospects for the Euro 2024 draw in Frankfurt on October 9.
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Clarke added: “At this moment in time I’m just thinking about what my issues are going into the game on Tuesday, rather than thinking about the consequences.
“We know we have to get a point. We know we have to go to a difficult place. We know we have to play very well.
“If we do that then we get first place in the group.
“Then we can talk about the rewards of being first.
“We have already got more points in this Nations League campaign than we got in the last one. So we’re still improving.”
McTominay is OUT of the Ukraine clash after his late yellow card but Clarke insists injured KT and Aaron Hickey could yet be declared fit.
He added: “Kieran was precautionary in the first-half - he got a knock and the doctor decided to take him off.
“Aaron was also precautionary. He felt his hamstring a little bit tight, but nothing to worry about I don’t think.
“It’s just the consequence of being asked to play two games in such a short space of time, which no other country had to do; only ourselves and Ukraine.”
Scotland No1 Craig Gordon played just hours after watching his partner give birth to their second son.
Clarke added: “Craig was with his wife when she gave birth, of course.
“He came back mid-morning and asked if he could be excused the lunchtime meeting.
“He went to his bed, had a kip, played the game.
“Wife and baby are both doing great so that’s the best news.”
Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny bemoaned the late penalty decision which went against his side.
He said: “It’s a tough game to lose from our point if view.
“The penalty itself is contentious.
It’s very harsh.
“Looking at it, it looks like Alan Browne has been pushed by a Scottish player, which results in him raising his arms into an unnatural position.
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“Overall I thought we showed a lot of control in the game.
“We had chances to win so we’re disappointed to lose the game.”
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