Lithuania Vs Scotland Preview

Craig Levein enters his first competitive match as Scotland Manager in Kaunas, Lithuania. The nation has strong links with Scotland with a Lithuanian owner at Heart of Midlothian, plus a few players and staff passing through the club. Scotland's record in Lithuania only holds 3 matches containing one win, however four of tonight's starting line-up played a part in Rangers embarrassing defeat to FBK Kaunas in 2008. Scotland line up as a 4-1-4-1 or simplified 4-5-1 as follows:

McGregor

Hutton Weir McManus Whittaker

McCulloch

Naismith Brown Fletcher Robson

Miller

The problem area for Scotland without looking at the home team's line-up is defence, mainly the central, with 40-year old Weir and McManus who certainly does not fill the Tartan Army faithful with confidence. This line-up primarily sets up to be safe and not necessarily for a win tonight with Miller leading the line by himself, I would like to see Naismith get up and support as often as possible, as a Kilmarnock fan I know his threat all too well. The one bonus is having Alan Hutton back at right-back, he may be only 80% fit, but he would jump in front of Broadfoot in my team as well, however I think he has improved vastly over the past 3 years, but he should stay away from those eggs.

Now a quick look at the Lithuanian squad, as I don't know their line-up as yet, or much about their squad but here goes. In defence the name that sticks out is Zaliukas, the Hearts defender is solid if not immense, the other is centre-back Skerla formerly of Dunfermline, who wasn't the best at that time if I remember correctly. In midfield we know a couple of the players from Hearts and diving exploits in the SPL and against Scotland, here's hoping for a strong referee. The annoying thing, from my point of view anyway is that they can play some great football but decide to cheat instead. These players being Mikoliunas and Cesnauskis, if they play, they will have to be watched carefully, and I imagine it will be Whittaker's job on at least one of them. I believe that Velicka will start up front, having just signed for Aberdeen on loan from Rangers he would like to get some game time, I estimate him being 7th choice at Ibrox, not being helped by injuries recently however he can prove to be a dangerous striker. The only other forward I know anything of is another ex-Hearts player Beniusis, who is a tall bloke remembered affectionately by Gorgie faithful as Beniuseless.

Not that I place much stock into world rankings, but Scotland are 11 places higher than Lithuania, and that is after Burley's recent dismal reign at Scotland. I would probably take a draw tonight and expect a win at Hampden against this lot however I will predict a 2-1 away win for Scotland.