Gladkiy on fast track for Glasgow

He may be his country's brightest striking prospect but Olexandr Gladkiy is keen to play down expectations as Ukraine visit Scotland on Saturday looking to salvage their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying hopes.

Top scorer
The 20-year-old Gladkiy tops the scoring charts in Ukraine's Premier League with 12 goals from as many fixtures for leaders FC Shakhtar Donetsk, following on from his tally of 13 last season. And despite him being the youngest member of Oleh Blokhin's national squad, his strike rate has raised widespread hopes about this talented tyro.

'Humble player'
"Am I looking forward to scoring my first competitive goal for Ukraine? Let's not look too far ahead. Who was I yesterday? Just a humble [FC] Kharkiv player. Now people expect me to score goals at every level," said Gladkiy. In addition to his recent transfer to Shakhtar, Gladkiy was rewarded for his fine form with Kharkiv last term with a maiden call-up by Ukraine for August's friendly with Uzbekistan, which preceded his Group B appearances against Georgia and world champions Italy.

Seasonal record
With new club Shakhtar setting the domestic pace with eleven victories in 12 matches, Gladkiy could threaten the record for goals in a single top-flight campaign (22) set by Serhiy Rebrov and Maksim Shatskikh. "A goal is the result of all the team's efforts and I just have to finish off my colleagues' hard work. Fortunately, I now have more opportunities in Donetsk and I just have to get into the right place," said Gladkiy.

Champions League debut
Gladkiy, who made his UEFA Champions League debut against Celtic FC on Matchday 1, also stresses the need for continual improvement if he is reach the pinnacle of the game. "I have set myself a goal – to improve as a player and to play at the highest level possible," he said. "Shakhtar have given me a great chance to do so. Yesterday I was looking at stars like [Thierry] Henry and Ronaldinho shine in the Champions League, now I have the opportunity to play against them. This is the reference point that makes me want to work hard."

Slim hopes
Ukraine will be hoping he can reach these levels fast as they attempt to save their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying bid. Blokhin's charges sit fourth in Group B, seven points behind second-placed Italy with a match in hand. Failure to improve on that position, starting in Glasgow this weekend, could prompt a managerial change with the coach suggesting he may resign "if we do not fulfil the task in front of us". Pressure indeed for young Gladkiy.