Steve Clarke reveals 'unusual' Nathan Patterson phone call as Scotland boss strikes the right tone

Footballers enduring times of so-called adversity is a tricky discussion to have in the shadow of a war.

This was the task facing Steve Clarke yesterday as he reflected on some of the personnel difficulties he is facing while Scotland’s World Cup prospects exist in such a state of flux due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

It was a challenge to adopt the right tone. As has been the case throughout recent weeks, the Scotland manager succeeded.

He must of course be permitted to ponder Nathan Patterson’s continued exclusion at Everton and Billy Gilmour’s recent trials at Norwich without continually adding the caveat that such so-called issues must be placed in perspective.

It is taken as read that extravagantly-well paid footballers who are struggling for game-time is not a matter of life and death.

Tonight’s assignment at Hampden Park should have been all about taking a step towards the World Cup finals. Instead, the prime objective is providing funds for humanitarian relief. To quote the Scottish Football Association website, the hastily arranged friendly against Poland is a match "that transcends football".

Original opponents Ukraine remain in everyone’s thoughts, from the blue and yellow programme cover to the £10 donation to UNICEF’s emergency appeal for aid to support families and children affected by the on-going Russian invasion.

No offence to Robert Lewandowski and co, who are attractive visitors, but it’s a matter of bitter regret that they are here on a night when Hampden was meant to be hosting such a significant - in football terms - occasion.

Today marks one month since Russian tanks started rolling into Ukraine. Every day has become a bitter fight for survival. To write about a match in this context seems