JON SHALLARD REPORTING —- Politics and sport not only came face to face but became dramatically entangled as Scotland and Ukraine faced off at Hampden Park, Glasgow, in a World Cup qualifying tie of deep and mixed emotions.

In simple football terms the tie was a European qualifying playoff semi-final with the prize being a trip south to play Wales in Cardiff on Sunday for a place at the finals in Qatar in November and December.

Scotland were favourites on the footballing basis that their opponents had been preparing in Slovenia with only a handful of friendly matches.

But most of the watching footballing world was supporting the Ukrainians as their nation battled for its very survival in the devastating and destructive teeth of a military invasion which has seen Russia declare itself as an international pariah.

The invasion had forced the postponement of the Hampden clash.

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