Ukraine 0-0 Scotland: Steve Clarke’s side seal promotion to Pool A of the Nations League

Exhausted but, crucially, undefeated, there is no drug as effective as the antidote to this heroic feat for Steve Clarke and virus-ridden Scotland.

They will now be the only home nation in the top tier of the next incarnation of the Nations League after coming out of Krakow with the draw they needed.

And how they deserve to be there after overcoming illness and injury to get seven points out of nine in the span of a week. That they are going to replace England makes it even sweeter.

Steve Clarke and his coaching staff were delighted with a hard-earned draw

Stuart Armstrong hit the air at the final whistle as Scotland got the result they needed

Not that the Tartan army dared to crow about that until their promotion was confirmed. No wonder they were unusually quiet late in the day. It’s hard to make noise with your heart in your mouth.

That’s because this matters. For a country that has only participated in one major tournament since 1998, the reward of being placed in Pot Two for Euro 2024 qualifiers – as well as the guarantee of a place in the play-offs – is an incentive. They didn’t want motivation, that’s for sure.

The glorious sunshine had given way to black clouds and sodden cobblestones in this quaint old town in the hours before kick-off, and there was an ominous feel to Clarke as the magnitude of their disease virus became more apparent.

When the team news fell 90 minutes before kick-off, you had to make sure it wasn’t posted from a spoof account. Six changes from the weekend win over Ireland, including a surprise debut for Hibernian centre-back Ryan Porteous. The makeshift backline — none of them would start with everyone fit — was discussed during the warm-up. They were probably introducing themselves.

Never would Clarke have thought of setting up this team for such a memorable match when he named his team two weeks ago. Eight of that number have failed to make it to Poland, and its press conferences have been replaced by medical bulletins in recent days.

Scotland produced a fighting performance to get the point they needed in Krakow

Craig Gordon held out as Ukraine pushed for a winner in the second half

Nevertheless, out of adversity, unlikely heroes can emerge and, before he left Edinburgh on Monday, Clarke’s glass was still half full, even though it contained rehydration salts. He had every reason to refill his cup half-time. Scotland played well.

They could have led in 90 seconds if Andriy Lunin hadn’t reacted to Che Adams’ deflected shot past the post. There was another opening for Kenny McLean, who should have done better than slamming over the bar from eight yards. They even won a penalty kick, although it was rightly reversed for a non-existent handball.

This was not the cauldron of intimidation often entered on such evenings in Eastern Europe. The neutral setting ensured that. But the volume was heightened as Ukraine managed to break through Scotland’s defense twice in the first half.

Winger Mykhalio Mudryk was watched by several Premier League clubs at Hampden Park last week. You can see why. He flashed through two white jerseys and centered from the left at eight minutes. Andriy Yarmolenko might as well have stood alone in the town’s medieval square – the largest in Europe – such was the space he was afforded. But the former West Ham wideman lunged for the ball and Scotland came out unscathed. The poor folk behind the goal into which his volley was thrown may not have been so lucky.

Scotland celebrated for their traveling fans after the final whistle

Scotland later needed Craig Gordon to wrest Artem Dovbyk after Yarmolenko showed much more composure by releasing his teammate. But after 45 minutes it was time, so good for the visitors.

The second half was not nearly as fun. Scotland withdrew so deep that the central defenders might as well have worn goalkeeper gloves. Gordon’s were certainly hot on the hour, scoring twice as Ukraine suddenly turned into the energetic, inventive unit that had set Scotland apart during the World Cup play-off in June.

Gordon was knocked at 80 minutes, but so was the post. Only, mind you, Ruslan Malinovskyi chiseled the paintwork with a super salvo from 12 meters. Rookie Porteous then blocked in the goal mouth during the most nervous final.

For those on the couch tending dickie stomachs, it must have been a real churner. Not that they cared that the end was coming. ‘We’re going up’ they sang along with their supporters. It was certainly a welcome change from throwing up.