Blokhin: Shevchenko a tough act to follow

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Ukraine have no ready-made replacement for striker Andriy Shevchenko, coach Oleg Blokhin said on Tuesday as he urged clubs to provide fresh blood for him to rebuild the national side.

Shevchenko, 35, announced he would retire from international football after co-hosts Ukraine failed to progress from the group stage at Euro 2012. He has scored a record 48 goals for Ukraine, two of which came in their opening 2-1 defeat of Sweden in the tournament.

"I don't think a second Shevchenko will appear soon," Blokhin, once a star Soviet player himself, told reporters in his trademark deadpan style.

"The young lads who play as strikers [in Ukraine] now lack the intuition and skill that Shevchenko has, that I used to have... that [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi have and which sets them apart from others.

"This is a big loss for the national team," he added. "And we must think how to play attacking football... we cannot play without strikers like Spain do."

Blokhin said it was up to clubs to produce the talent to fill Shevchenko's void.

"We only take accomplished players," he said.

Ukraine's victory over Sweden in Euro 2012 was their only one of the tournament. They were eliminated from the championship after defeats by France and England.