DISGRACE

SCOTLAND'S hopes of securing a second successive Euro 2008 win could be undermined by a pitch which is no better than a public park.

Walter Smith and his players were furious over the condition of the playing surface at the St Dariaus and St Gireno Stadium when they turned up for a training session ahead of tonight's crucial qualifier with Lithuania.

Record Sport understands Englishman Alan Hutchings, the UEFA observer at the game, was also appalled by the pockmarked pitch and immediately demanded action from the Lithuanian FA.

They have been warned to expect a fine unless urgent remedial work is carried out before kick-off this evening.

Scotland's players described the surface as no better than they would expect of a public park back home.

There are patches of overgrown grass, flooded goalmouths and potentially dangerous potholes.

A stern-faced Smith would only say last night: "Yes, the pitch is in poor condition but we would hope at the very least they will have it cut and rolled by kick-off."

And midfielder Nigel Quashie said: "We were stunned when we arrived - it's not right to be expected to play international football on a pitch like that.

"It's the worst I've seen in my Scotland career.

"The thing that guts you most is that we bring countries to Scotland and give them a bowling green to play on - then we come here and the place looks like a Superbike track."

The stadium is home to FBK Kaunas, who are owned by Hearts chief Vladimir Romanov.

Smith had already received reports that the pitch would be in bad condition and warned his players of this before boarding the flight to Lithuania yesterday morning.

However, conditions were worse than first feared and the Lithuanians can expect a heavy financial penalty unless they work hard to repair the damage before tonight's crucial clash.

Scotland's players were further angered by the fact that no work had been done to the park before their training session - despite the Lithuanians staging a session there earlier in the day.

But Smith is hopeful that the pitch will be in better shape before he sends his players out looking to secure their second successive win in five days.