VLADDIEMIR ROMANOV

VLADIMIR ROMANOV got the Tartan Army tipsy in downtown Kaunas yesterday afternoon.

But it was Christian Dailly and Kenny Miller who made sure they got absolutely plastered at night.

Just when it looked as though the football gods were sending us a sobering reminder of our place in the world game, sizzling Scotland produced a heady second-half cocktail of power and precision to leave Lithuania floored.

Hearts owner Romanov shared a bevvy with Scotland fans prematch but as the half-time whistle sounded with the score 0-0, it looked as though we would be drowning our sorrows come fulltime.

Injuries to James McFadden and Nigel Quashie had left Scotland a bit punch-drunk and a bright start had given way to a dogged finish to the first half.

Then it was Dailly - whose personality could not be more different from the flamboyant Hearts owner - and the wonderful Miller who gave the same supporters an excuse to go and party. Like they need one.

That's six points out of six for Walter Smith's men in the European Championship group of death and it was clear that a draw was not what the Scots went looking for.

Just as the Tartan Army were interested in pints, as opposed to apint, singular, the Scotland team were only interested in points, plural.

Too many times the supporters have heard that a draw would be a good result away from home.

But Group B is so tough that a mere point in Lithuania would have been regarded as totally inadequate.

They are one of the nations below us in the world rankings so three points were essential to keep us challenging for a place in the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland in two years' time.

With Italy, France and Ukraine to deal with in the section, every point is precious. Smith asked his players for all three and they did not stumble as they delivered to add to the three collected in the six-goal demolition of the Faroe Islands.

Of course, there were moments of high anxiety but there always is when Scotland are in action.

Smith has done a remarkable job since taking over the reins from Berti Vogts. He has made Scotland enjoyable to watch again.

Perhaps the SFA should now offer him whatever deal he wants to remain as international manager.

He had to change his formation twice in the first-half after losing both McFadden and Quashie to injury.

At that stage, the thought occurred that good old Lithuanian tycoon Romanov could have gone over the the head of his country's coach Algimantas Liubinskas, picked the team and caused a bit of unrest in their camp before the game as a favour to the Scotland fans who bought him a drink pre-match.

The Hearts owner was happy to pose for photographs with them before the match in the splendidly named St Dariaus and St Gireno stadium.

Romanov was, for a day at least, awelcome addition to the Tartan Army, although the sight of him must have made any Hibee among the the punters grimace.

And at 80p for a pint of beer, it had to be hoped the millionaire stood his round.

Yet it did seem he wasn't allowed to put his hand in his pocket as the Jambos who had made the trip appeared willing to offer him their first-born child let alone a lager.

However, even Romanov would have to admit that Scotland deserved their victory.

Gary Naysmith was on the line to make a clearance after a few minutes and if only the ball had fallen to Nigel Quashie's right foot 60 seconds later or he had got more power in his shot he might have beaten Zydrunas Karchemarskas in Lithuania's goal.

Then Steven Pressley went close, then James McFadden.

KennyMiller was outstanding and can make the difficult look easy and the simple seem impossible.

Both teams looked dangerous but it was Scotland who looked the more likely to score.

Miller's pace and McFadden's trickery were a constant threat and both were ably supported by their team-mates behind them.

But then McFadden limped off after 21 minutes and was replaced by Graham Alexander as Smith had to change the shape, with Christian Dailly moving into a more forward position.

And the Scots could have done without Miller getting booked for high feet. It was needless and he will now miss next month's glamour game against France at Hampden.

Then Quashie's battered body lasted 40 minutes and he went off and Kris Boyd came on.

Smith was now on to Plan C. But how were we to know that Plan C involved Christian Dailly being the hero?

A minute after the break, the nicest man ever to play this game leaped high into the air to power in a header.

Then Miller did what he does best - scored for Scotland to seal a win that had looked improbable after the injuries. Everyone sat back and waited for the final whistle which took an eternity to come, especially after Lithuania's late goal from Darius Miceika.

But, for once, this was Scotland's day.

It's early days but if Smith's side hadn't won their qualifying chances would have been dented and sent the Tartan Army off to drown their sorrows.

They probably did anyway but when they wake after their night out with Romanov, they'll have a grin on their faces - because their champagne is still on ice.

Taken from the Daily Record