sport news Football has forged a special bond between Scotland and Ukraine during ... trends now
The lexicon of football has historically contained references to war.
Balls are shelled long, aerial battles are won. Midfield generals aim to control the supply lines to the marksmen up front.
But on the day Russian president Vladimir Putin threatened to push the nuclear button in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the beautiful game’s place in the wider scheme of things was again placed in proper context.
Fans display a banner in protest at Russia's invasion of Ukraine at Hampden Park
Football is, as legendary former AC Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi once famously observed, ‘the most important of the least important things in life.’
But it does have an important role to play in times of adversity as we have seen time and again this year.
We saw it back in March when Scotland and Poland met in a hastily-arranged friendly to raise money for Ukraine.
A crowd of 39,090 attended the match with £10 from each ticket going towards UNICEF’s humanitarian response in the war-torn nation.
Then in June the world’s media descended upon Hampden as Ukraine’s first competitive action since the invasion saw their tear-stained players deservedly beat Scotland 3-1 in a World Cup play-off semi-final. They would ultimately fall at the final hurdle in Cardiff against Wales but a special bond had been formed with the Tartan Army.
Fans wearing half-and-half Ukraine and Scotland scarves greeted each other warmly
That was renewed on Wednesday night and outside Hampden Park before kick off, there was an tangible air of solidarity.
Fans wearing half-and-half Ukraine and Scotland scarves greeted each other warmly. They hugged while posing for selfies draped in flags of both proud nations.
And with ‘Peace’ written in English and Ukrainian on the big screens at Hampden, the two teams came out for the national anthems.
Beginning with the lyrics: ‘Ukraine’s glory has not yet died, nor her freedom,’ the visiting fans belted out theirs in fine voice.
At the end the Tartan Army generously applauded the Ukrainian supporters - many of whom are living here to escape the conflict - as blue and yellow flags remained proudly pointed towards the skies above Glasgow.
Two Ukraine fans at the UEFA Nations League match at Hampden Park on Wednesday night
Sadly, there was not unanimous respect shown during the minute’s applause in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The applause was generally well supported but boos were audible above the clapping and it set the tone for an eerily quiet atmosphere when the game kicked off.
That was strange because this was a huge match for Scotland, who host Ireland here in the Nations League on Saturday night before rounding off the group by travelling to face Ukraine in neutral Poland on Tuesday.
Should Clarke’s men finish top of Group B1 they would be guaranteed a play-off place for Euro 2024; the exact same route the
