REVENGE OF THE LITH

HEARTS star Paul Hartley has revealed his Lithuanian buddies at Tynecastle are certain they will beat Scotland and go all the way to the Euro 2008 Finals.

The Scots midfield star reckons they no longer see themselves as international football whipping boys.

Hartley smiled: "I've been speaking to Deividas Cesnauskis, Saulius Mikoliunas and Edgaras Jankauskas and they are confident of defeating us on Wednesday. They really do fancy their chances.

"Perhaps about 10 years ago people would laugh at Lithuania and take three points for granted but not now. There are no easy games.

"The management, players and fans believe we have a chance of sneaking a top-two place in this group but Lithuania feel the same.

"They believe they have the players and the ability to finish ahead of us and cause a few upsets against Italy, France, Ukraine and Georgia.

"They are entitled to their opinion but we believe we'll win.

"We have played good football away from home and the victories in Norway and Slovenia prove that. We're comfortable soaking up pressure and counter attacking.

"Those performances were as good as Scotland has played for a number of years.

"Now we have to take that kind of form into this game. Everybody expects us to win but we will have to play really well to do so."

Hartley will win his ninth cap in midweek but until 18 months ago didn't think he'd ever get one.

But his chances changed when Smith replaced Berti Vogts.

And Paul said: "Berti capped a lot of players and I didn't think I'd get the chance to play for Scotland.

"I was then selected for the Future Team when I was 28. Tommy Burns and Rainer Bonhof were in charge and Walter had some input at that stage.

"We played in Germany and lost 3-0.I was on for 65 minutes and didn't think I had done enough to impress. But Walter named me in his squad for a get-together in Manchester last year and it just took off.

"I played against Italy in the San Siro and that was my debut. We lost 2-0 but played well and I enjoyed the whole experience."

Hartley has been the SPL's most consistent performer in the last two years but this season he has battled to regain fitness after a groin injury.

He said: "I've manage to play three games in the last couple of weeks but my fitness is not at the level I'd like it to be. I'm getting there and I'm not too far away but it's always difficult when you've missed pre-season.

"I had to take a complete rest for 12 weeks. I felt my groin sore last season - it was in the game against Aberdeen at Tynecastle when we clinched the Champions League spot - and that was the start of it.

"It was agony during the Scottish Cup Final against Gretna and I thought about taking an injection before that game. But I decided against it. So the only cure is rest. Neil McCann recommended a specialist in Paris who has treated Zinedine Zidane, Arsenal, Juventus and the French national team.

"I went to see him twice and he really helped me recover."

Smith is happy key man Hartley stuck to doctors' orders and didn't push himself.

The Scotland boss said: "Because I was at Evert on I didn't see much of Paul a few years ago but when I was back up and started to take in games he impressed me.

"He has been playing really well and it was an easy decision to put him in. He has a range of ability and is the kind of player a manager likes to have.

"Paul's also an example to every young footballer in that even if things aren't going to plan there is always a chance if you stick in and work hard it will come good.

"He's also receptive to ideas and a good listener."

Taken from the Sunday Mail