Off and running with head start

Scotland sit proudly atop European Championship qualifying Group B. Even at this early juncture, it is a remarkable feat for a nation fearful of cultivating an inferiority complex in such company.
Last night's 2-1 defeat of Lithuania in Kaunas concluded an unimaginable start to what, from the outset, appeared a grizzly undertaking. Christian Dailly and Kenny Miller provided the goals but the unity fostered by Walter Smith vanquished adversity last night.
Miller's joy was tempered by a first-half caution that renders him ineligible for the visit of France to Hampden Park next month, a match Scotland can now contemplate with tentative optimism instead of trepidation.

Smith, having long laboured over the composition of his team after the 6-0 clobbering of the Faroe Islands, displayed a cool head at two significant crossroads. Injuries to James McFadden and Nigel Quashie before half-time provided unwanted complications but Smith's cunning streak cannot be underestimated in establishing the roots of the victory.
David Weir, in his 50th appearance, was majestic in minimising the effectiveness of the imposing Robertas Poskus, Lithuania's most persistent threat. The Everton veteran marshalled an occasionally overburdened defence and offered calm authority when substitute Darius Maceika set up an unwatchable finale with a spectacular overhead kick.
Scotland re-established their resolve for the frantic final moments. A late collapse would have been the cruellest or blows. Miller worked tirelessly on his own up front before converting into a willing link-man for Kris Boyd. The midfield were indistinguishable from each other but, in a land once proud of its collectives, the locals would have approved.
The S Darius and S Girenas Stadium, a three-quarters finished crumbly concrete cavern, stands, somewhat perilously, as a relic of Communist rule.

Liutauras Varanavicius, one-time director of Hearts and president of the Lithuanian Football Federation, adopted a pragmatic approach to the playing surface that had caused such pre-match angst. A shrug of the shoulders and a wry smile preceded his hope that Scotland would not use the conditions as an excuse in the event of defeat.
Alas, moments before kick-off, the oily-haired leader gave the groundstaff's emergency overtime his seal of approval. The offending pitch had been cultivated to a sufficient standard to avoid farce.

Alan Hutchings, the UEFA observer, was at least spared further administrative inconvenience. "They did the best they could," he said. The same could be said of Scotland.
The importance of victory was underlined by the game's instant ignition. Had it not been for the diligence of Gary Naysmith on Scotland's goal-line, Lithuania, and in particular Tamas Zvirgzdauskas, would have scored with their first attack, from a smart Mantas Savenaj corner kick.

The response was swift and encouraging. Miller slipped possession to Quashie and his curling effort was saved by the goalkeeper, Zydrunas Karchemarskas, straining every sinew. The dramatic opening minute encapsulated a game that swung compellingly in pendulum fashion.
Just as pugilistic promoters decree that styles make fights, so in this instance Scotland's counterattacking gameplan contrasted with Lithuania's lean and lively approach. Smith opted for a prudent alteration when injury befell McFadden after barely 20 minutes.

As the Tartan Army cheered for the introduction of goal-happy Boyd, the manager instead administered more intricate change. Graham Alexander replaced the flair forward and Plan B was activated. Alexander replaced Christian Dailly as wing-back, the West Ham player being reassigned to the holding role occupied by Paul Hartley, and the Hearts playmaker was pressed into the advanced creative role vacated by McFadden. Simple as that.
There was to be further disruption to Scotland's operation. Quashie sustained a dead leg midway through the first half and despite his desire to defy his discomfort, the problem proved prohibitive to his combative style.
Boyd was duly introduced and Hartley returned from whence he came. He epitomised the versatility and adaptability essential in maximising the capabilities of a modest but willing group.

Scotland never looked weakened by the unforeseen circumstances but it was indicative of the game's ebb and flow that by the end of the first half, the formation increasingly resembled a 5-3-2-1, such was the pressure applied by Lithuania's wide men, Saulius Mikoliunas and Aidas Preiksaitis.
Having coped admirably in containing the Lithuanians, Scotland made a perfect start to the second half. Miller deceived the goalkeeper into conceding a corner and, from Naysmith's floated delivery, Dailly stood rampant and headed the visitors into a lead that was neither unexpected nor ill-deserved.

It threw Lithuania into confusion and the Tartan Army into delirium. Mercifully, Scotland were not overawed by their feats. On the contrary, they flourished and enhanced their ascendancy. Naysmith's long free-kick was missed by Boyd and amid the defensive uncertainty, Miller's stealth afforded him time and space to enhance his international reputation with his ninth goal.
It was inevitable that the nerves would jangle. Miceika's goal caused palpitations but Scotland refused to wilt.

Taken from the Herald