Steve Clarke's 3 point Scotland masterplan as he keeps Ukraine guessing with new formation hint

Steve Clarke has sent an impassioned plea to Scotland supporters urging them to respect Ukraine’s national anthem – before roaring Scotland one step closer to the World Cup Finals.

Clarke and his players arrived back in Glasgow on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the play-off semi-final as the clock ticks down to what is sure to be an emotional outpouring at Hampden.

But, while Scotland’s manager wants the red carpet rolled out for the visitors, he reserves the right to charge up the patriotism of the Tartan Army and is calling on them to help carry his players all the way to a winner-takes-all showdown with Wales in Cardiff on Sunday night.

He said: “The fans can be massive for us, massive.

“We all saw the power of the fans in the Israel game which was the biggest indicator of that.

“When you’ve got the fans on side and they’re behind you, the team can play right to the end.

“It took a late, late goal to beat Israel.

“So the fans can be massive for us. We will respect the Ukrainian national anthem and we will applaud the Ukrainian national anthem.

“Then from there they have to sing their hearts out, get behind the team and drive the team on.”

Clarke, though, revealed yesterday that rising star Nathan Patterson will not be fit enough in time to face Ukraine tonight as the Everton youngster continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

That means Stephen O’Donnell, Anthony Ralston and Aaron Hickey will be fighting it out for the right-back role.

Clarke will also be requiring a replacement for the absent Kieran Tierney on the left side of his three-man central defence, the Arsenal man failing to recover in time from a knee injury that he suffered in March.

The manager said: “Nathan won’t make the first game. The time-line is