Frightened Dynamo Kiev legend Leonid Buryak has told Ukraine they are facing one of the 'elite' teams in international football in Scotland.
And he's warned his countrymen to expect a huge battle when they face the Scots at Hampden in the World Cup play-offs in March.
Steve Clarke 's side must beat the Ukrainians in Glasgow to secure a winner-takes-all final against Wales or Austria away from home.
And Dynamo Kiev icon Buryak, who managed Ukraine from 2002 to 2004, admits he's been stunned at the recent improvement from Clarke's side.
He said: "Playing in Scotland will be very, very difficult. A year or two ago, no one talked about the Scottish team.
"Now they have a new generation who are an excellent side. I would go so far as to call them an elite team in Europe at the moment. They easily beat Denmark in their last game.
"We have people here rejoicing about drawing Scotland, but they have no idea how hard it will be playing in Glasgow.
"The fans there are crazy and all of the Scotland team play for big clubs - many play for top teams in the English Premier League like Liverpool and Manchester United.
"I think if we were to win the game in Glasgow, playing in Wales or Austria would be significantly easier for us.
"We are also at a disadvantage because of our long winter break, while the Scots will be at full fitness. I repeat, this is an extremely difficult game for us."
