Scotland vs Ukraine World Cup semi-final play-off: Callum McGregor says Scots must focus on game plan | Football news

Callum McGregor says Scotland players sympathize with the “horrible” situation in Ukraine but must focus on their own game in Wednesday’s World Cup playoffs, live Sports sky.

The game was originally scheduled to take place on March 24, but was postponed after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Celtic captain McGregor admits the situation is “really terrible” in Ukraine but insists Steve Clarke’s side will focus, as well as their opponents, on the play-off final against Wales in Cardiff, will take place on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

McGregor said: “Obviously we understand the situation and we sympathize with it. You turn on the daily news and something else is happening.

“It’s a really terrible situation. Ultimately the game building and most of the discussion will probably revolve around that.

“But I think it’s important that we realize we have work to do. We want to take our country to a big tournament.

“It’s a game of football and when both teams cross the line, they will be equally motivated to progress and get to the next stage of the playoffs.

Wed June 1 7:00 pm

Starts at 7:45pm

“So we can’t think of anything else now. Our whole focus is on the game plan.”

When asked about the view that most neutrals would hope for a Ukraine win, the midfielder said: “That’s fine. Everyone has their opinion, it doesn’t bother them. me both.

“We’re pro, we’ve got work to do, so are they. The people in their camp will think exactly the same, they’ll block out any noise from outside and completely focus on the game plan. mine.”

Naismith: Robertson won’t need to pick up | Patterson to prove fitness

Scotland coach Steven Naismith doesn’t trust Scotland captain Andy Robertson – that Liverpool’s side lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid in Paris on Saturday night – will need to pick up when he joins the team.

He said: “When he gets together, it’s natural for the players and everyone to have that conversation about the experience, the build, the way the game has been.

“From now until the game, there’s a lot of information coming to the players and that’s in the spotlight.

“Disappointment will be there but his experience now on these occasions is far greater than that of anyone else on the team.

“Once he gets on the team and the environment changes, the focus changes and the rewards of this match are just as great, he can lead his country to the World Cup in one game if we I can win.

“Robbo is a class act, a leader and he will be ready for Wednesday, no matter what, I’m sure.

“He’s shown that he loves playing for his country, it’s one of the greatest honors you have to take them to the Euros and having the prospect of taking them to a World Cup would be something. push him, I’m sure.”

Nathan Patterson will also have two days to prove his fitness. The 20-year-old right-back has struggled with his spell at Everton since moving from Rangers in January and had ankle surgery in early April.

Naismith is confident Patterson, who has not played since Scotland drew Austria 2-2 at the end of March, will not disappoint his country if he is declared fit for the game at Hampden Park on Thursday night. Wednesday, the winner of which will face Wales in the play-off final in Cardiff.

After training at Scotland’s base in Oriam, Edinburgh, Naismith said: “Nathan was on the pitch.

“He’s obviously the one coming on through injury but he has the next two days on the pitch to show that he’s ready and fit.

“I think he’s probably one of the guys in the squad that I compared, in terms of innate fitness, to Alan Hutton, who’s been around for a long time and has never played (for the club). his) but played well for Scotland.

“Nathan has shown that when he wasn’t playing for Rangers, he was playing for Scotland, he played really well.

“So from that side, everyone feels comfortable that he can be ready and competitive. But there are still two days left for the manager to pick the team.”