Blundering Boris Johnson has claimed Ukraine should be given a bye into the World Cup - knocking Scotland out.
The Prime Minister claimed the country should be allowed to bypass the qualifiers after being invaded by Russia.
Labour MSP Carol Mochan mocked the half-baked plan:
“We should be backing up Ukraine as and when they need it, but it’s hard to imagine this is their priority right now.
“The Prime Minister should focus on the priorities of the Ukrainian people and make sure they are getting the tangible support they need here and now, instead of cooking up these tokenistic distractions.”
A bye would disadvantage Scotland, who are due to compete against Ukraine in the play-off semi final.
The winner will play either Wales or Austria in a winner-takes-all match to reach the showpiece.
Speaking at the Nato headquarters, Johnson was asked if he thought Ukraine should get an automatic place in the tournament.
He said: “Sounds like a good idea to me but I’m out of area here, I’ve got to admit that’s not my strong subject.
“I don’t see why not, is my view.”
He added: “Let me put it this way, given what Ukraine has been going through, given the privations that Ukrainian footballers have had to endure, I’m sure that every possible sympathy and allowances should be made for them.”
If Scotland qualified, it would be the first time the national team had played in the World Cup since the 1990s.
Columnist Alex Massie responded on Twitter: “It’s just possible he hasn’t quite thought this through.”
Another Twitter user wrote: “This, i fear, may go down quite badly with Scotland.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
