Ukraine players ready for war as they join battalion and throw World Cup playoff with Scotland in doubt

Ukrainian footballers have been joining their own battalion after Russia’s invasion as the country’s Premier League postponement has thrown next month’s World Cup play-off against Scotland into doubt.

The top flight was due to resume but has been postponed for at least 30 days - two days after they are due at Hampden - with the country now under martial law.

It means the vast majority of their squad won't have played in a competitive game for almost four months, which would hand Scotland a huge advantage through no fault of the Ukrainians.

Dynamo Kiev - who have nine players in the Ukraine squad due to face Scotland next month - have vowed to carry on as normal despite their country being attacked by Russia.

They currently have 16 of their squad domestically based with Dynamo Kiev having nine players in the group.

Dnipro, one of the country's biggest clubs, have set up their own battalion for a potential fight against their neighbours.

President Yuri Bereza has formed his own volunteer battalion to protect their city if Russian troops storm the area.

He said: "I have created a volunteer battalion to protect the city of Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk region, against an invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine.

"I will be the commander of the battalion. I appeal to my brothers and sisters, you know the place of gathering when it happens.”

But defiant capital club Dynamo have vowed to carry on as usual, no matter what happens. Kiev president Igor Surkis insisted: "All our players are here training. I can assure our fans, these players are not going to go anywhere.”

And the club themselves put out a statement that underlined their determination to fight for their country.

Dynamo stated: "We are on our land and we will not give