Oleksandr Zinchenko broke down in tears during an emotional press conference before the Manchester City star and his Ukraine teammates get down to business against Scotland.
While the Russian invasion of his homeland continues, Zinchenko and the Ukraine national side are set to take on the Tartan Army at Hampden Park tonight (Wednesday, 7.45pm). The winner of that showdown will meet Wales for a last place in the 2022 Qatar World Cup finals this winter.
Russian troops are still on the ground in Ukraine having launched an invasion in February. Since then, pretty much the entire world — including NATO members — have rallied together in support of Ukraine.
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And it was that support and ongoing suffering of his people that reduced City player Zinchenko to tears when speaking to the media before that World Cup qualifying showdown. Zinchenko, 25, is almost certain to win his 48th cap tonight at the Scottish national stadium.
Speaking during his press conference, he said: "Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Scottish national team. To the coaching staff, to the players, to the whole lot of the Scottish people who provides Ukraine with this incredible help.
"I spoke with some of the players and coaching staff before and they expressed their feelings towards Ukraine for which we are very grateful. Secondly our mood, I would describe as a fighting mood.
"Everyone understands what is going on in Ukraine these days, what this situation is like on the ground and that's why I would say our motivation is definitely 100 per cent to win."
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