Transfers likely to keep it tight

Balkan imports at Tynecastle ensure both squads are very well-versed in each other’s talents, reports Natasha Woods

THOSE wracking their brains for positive recollections of Berti Vogts’ disastrous tenure as national manager may have happy memories of the last time Lithuania lined up against Scotland. A goal from substitute Darren Fletcher, making his competitive debut, proved decisive and earned Scotland a place in the Euro 2004 play-offs.

The subsequent story may have followed familiar lines – a heroic victory at Hampden over the Dutch followed by utter humiliation in Holland – but when it comes to the short history of Scotland’s footballing rivalry with Lithuania, things are ever so slightly weighted in favour of the dark blue corner.

The Baltic nation has only managed one win in four games against Scotland, but significantly that result came in Kaunas in the last European Championship qualifying campaign. On Wednesday night it is the same location and the same competition.

Scotland may be a stronger proposition under Walter Smith, but they are not so transformed as to suggest the pattern of play in a game between the two countries will be radically different from what has gone before. “We are evenly-matched,” observed Algimantas Liubinskas, the Lithuanian coach, when the draw paired the two countries for the third consecutive European qualifying campaign.

Results reflect his assertion; the two most recent matches settled by a solitary goal in favour of the home side. Attrition, rather than adventure, has marked out the ties.

While Lithuania, as an independent nation, is a relative newcomer to the Uefa fold, events at Tynecastle have ensured that the respective squads are well versed in each other’s attributes. Vladimir Romanov hadn’t burst on to the Scottish scene the last time the two countries locked horns, but recent seasons have seen an influx of Lithuanians at Hearts courtesy of the influence of the club’s owner.

Last week the enclave grew to seven players as Kestutis Ivaskevicius and Andrius Velicka became the latest to sign on, both recruited on one-year loan deals from FBK Kaunas – seemingly the modus operandi for Romanov.

Liubinskas named four Hearts players in his squad for their double header against Italy and Scotland, although Edgaras Jankauskas is unlikely to feature because of a thigh injury. Whether the fact Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley know the games of Saulius Mikoliunas and Deividas Cesnauskis inside out – and vice versa – benefits Scotland or Lithuania remains to be seen.

Certainly the Lithuanian coach believes his compatriots have gained from being exposed to the rigours of the SPL.

“Their playing style has improved, they are more confident and have become more self-reliant,” Liubinskas claimed, when asked about the merits of the flow of players to Tynecastle.

“The level of football in the SPL is good and they can only make further progress when playing and training on a regular basis with people like Pressley, Hartley and against strong teams in the league.”

Twenty-five places separate Scotland (40) from Lithuania (65) in the current Fifa world rankings, but a year ago you could have thrown a blanket over the pair, so closely were they listed.

Both Smith and Liubinskas might well believe this week’s encounter will be similarly tight.

A disappointing 3-2 defeat away to Moldova last month prompted the Lithuanian coach to drop striker Tomas Radzinevicius, among others, and call-up Tadas Labukas, an in-form forward with FK Zalgiris Vilnius. But goals, particularly if Jankauskas is sidelined, have never been Lithuania’s forte. (During the last World Cup qualifying competition they managed to go 428 minutes with scoring).

Those members of the Tartan Army haunted by bleak memories of travelling to Kaunas in 2003 will recall what has become a trademark Lithuanian performance.

Scotland had copious amounts of possession, but could not break down a solid defence. And, to make matters worse, a dubious penalty gifted the home side victory.

Creativity and imagination were depressingly absent. And Scotland will need those qualities against a side capable of being formidably, and frustratingly, resolute.

Taken from the Sunday Herald