METALIST Kharkiv are utterly out of keeping with their surroundings. When it comes to football, little is as it seems here.

The north east industrial town is a classic relic of the Soviet era. Dreary tenement blocks line pot-holed streets which battered old Ladas chug up and down.

In the middle of this oasis of drab, someone has dropped a modern, imaginatively-designed football stadium.

With its spidery steelwork frame and glass front, crossing the road to the stadium is like walking through a time-travel portal in some corny science-fiction film. The big screen facing into the street, constantly blaring out a Europop soundtrack to the football highlights, is as attention-grabbing as its neighbouring buildings are mundane.

Sixty-two-year-old Myron Markevich is a talented man who has coached his country but, in the confines of a Press room at least, is far from inspiring.

The Ukrainian’s translated answers were as deadpan as their delivery. It is unlikely Markevich has ever heard of Geoffrey Boycott, but he straight-batted questions with a determination the cricket legend would be proud of.

If Metalist’s team played anything like their coach, a second 0-0 in seven days would be guaranteed in the deciding game of this last-32 Europa League tie.

“We all know Metalist can play better and they will play better,” said Markevich, dangerously verging towards opinion as he reflected on how his team had been sharpened by a first competitive game since early December.

“We had a hard game in England and the team lacked the game practice so everything will be different here.

“I think our chances to win are equal. Our chances to go through are equal to Newcastle’s.

“I think it (the style of the game) is more a question for the visiting coach. I know only how my team will play. I think Newcastle will play as we allow them to play, and we will play as they allow us to.”