The real business starts here, admits fired-up Craig Levein

Published on Thursday 2 September 2010 21:04

JUST as the trace of old communist rule continues to cling to Kaunas, Scotland will tonight hope to provide evidence that at least some characteristics of another era have survived.

David Weir, 40, is in good spirits during training on the eve of tonight's match against Lithuania in Kaunas in which he will become Scotland'soldest ever internationalist. Manager Craig Levein believes it is a match for experienced heads. Picture: SNS

But it is not enough for Scotland to simply return to days when they were hard to beat, with the bid to qualify for Euro 2012 unlikely to be helped by anything other than a win this evening against a side who have been emitting unmistakeable signs of expecting victory themselves. Craig Levein is also alert to the need for his side to achieve the broader aim of returning some credibility to Scottish football following the bashing it took as recently as last week.

Of Scotland's five representatives in European competition, only Rangers remain active. Three tumbled out on one bleak night alone eight days ago. A defeat here this evening would mark the beginning of a long dark autumn of the soul for Scottish football. The thought isn't to be borne. While Levein has refrained from contributing to the pressure building up around the squad by informing his players of the need to also act as redeemers, he is conscious of this attendant responsibility. His players take to the field tonight on a mission to begin salvaging Scotland's reputation as a footballing nation. Lithuania, on the other hand, aim to destroy it further. "Our only goal tomorrow is victory," said their alarmingly youthful coach Raimondas Zatautas, with the 37-year-old taking charge of the side for the first time tonight.

Following two rather low-key friendlies under Levein, no-one can complain of there being nothing at stake this evening.

"We know the massive degree of importance that is being placed on this game because of the domestic European results recently," noted Levein yesterday. "I understand that. This match is being highlighted more than perhaps it would have been, if that's possible. We understand what is going on. We know that there is a lot of focus on this game and there is expectation. But that can be a good thing."

Much rests on the new Scotland manager, who is beginning to twitch with excitement and possibly some terror. The manager was taken aback by the reaction to last month's 3-0 defeat in Sweden when nothing except pride was at stake.But it provided him with some idea of what might await should Scotland stumble here in Kaunas, where the locals are already surfing a wave of patriotism following Lithuania's victory over France on Wednesday evening in the world basketball championships currently taking place in Turkey.

Although in place since December, Levein has the impression that he is only today clocking on properly for work. But he can expect little mercy, not even, perhaps, from the traditionally stoic Tartan Army. They have traipsed to Kaunas, the latest destination in a recent itinerary which has been marked by deluge after deluge of goals. If hope is swallowed up here tonight then it might prove too much for some to perform their celebrated schtick of remaining cheerful even when in the midst of despair. "There's no messing about here," accepted Levein. "We'll get judged on the result tomorrow night.

"I have learned that when it comes to competitive games, winning is the only thing that matters. As such, my team selection is based on that." Although he will play with just one out-and-out forward in Kenny Miller - "name me an international team who play with two strikers," he asked reporters yesterday - he is heartened by the fact that this particular lone striker has been in such prodigious form of late. Miller will have help from elsewhere too. "Whatever team I pick will have enough matchwinners to win the game," he added. But there is a complication in that Lithuania will also be desperate to win a first match under their new manager. The citizens of Kaunas, where the sun has not shone since it disappeared in a fiery ball on the evening of Scotland's arrival, perform their daily chores with a grim purpose, in the shadow of grey bricked, old Soviet-era buildings. This fierce capacity to endure is likely to be mirrored tonight by Lithuania, who Levein even suggested should start as favourites.

"We are away from home, in an international match," he said. "We've been across here three times - winning once, losing one and drawing once. That tells me a lot. The job effectively starts here," he added, firmly. "The two friendlies (against Czech Republic and Sweden] have been useful for me to help confirm things in my mind. But it does begin now, doesn't it? We are at the important bit."

He is reassured by the presence of experienced players. The effect of having the likes of David Weir and Paul Hartley back in the squad has been there to see in training, which Levein described as having "gone through the roof". He has been pleasantly surprised by some players revealing just how talented they are. Levein has been around the block a bit but it has to be recalled that as recently as five years ago he was working with part-time footballers in a public park at Raith Rovers. Now he finds himself standing back to admire the talents of those considered to be the finest in the land."You can see that sprinkle of magic dust on those who are just that little bit better, that encourages me," he said.

But he knows they need to display this when and where it matters. The need to hit the ground running, coupled with the feeble defeat in Sweden, convinced Levein to turn to the tried and tested. He has deliberately favoured those who have "been over the course" in his team selection. "Once you have played 10, 15 or 20 internationals coming to play in Kaunas is not a big deal," he said. "Rather than worry about anything else they just worry about playing football."

These younger players will have their part to play in time. Levein noted that Scotland, in his opinion, will have a "pretty decent side" in three to four years time. But he had enough awareness to add quickly, and with bluntness, that he won't be around then. Indeed, his future ambitions hang rather perilously on this double-header, with Liechtenstein to come on Tuesday. The time of reckoning has arrived.

The Tynecastle connection

A total of eight members of tonight's Lithuania squad are past or present Hearts players, taken to Tynecastle under the Vladimir Romanov regime. They are:

Marius Žaliukas

The only current Hearts player in the Lithuania squad. Dependable centre-half who was awarded the Hearts captaincy at the start of the season but is now in dispute with the club over a new contract. His wage demands have been described as at "English Premiership level" and speculation is rife he has played his last game for the club.

Kestutis Ivaškevicius

Sporadic performer who spent the best part of two seasons at Tynecastle between 2006 and 2008. A decent midfielder who started just 17 SPL games but scored in wins over both Rangers and Celtic. Now playing in Israel with Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv. Unlikely to start against Scotland.

Linas Pilibaitis

Joined Hearts on loan from Kaunas in January 2007 but started just four SPL games. Claim to fame is scoring the winning goal for Kaunas which knocked Rangers out of the Champions League qualifying in August 2008, a result which cost the Ibrox club an estimated 12.9m in lost revenue. Now plies his trade in Hungary with Gyori.

Deividas Cesnauskis

Arguably the most gifted of the Lithuanians to pull on a Hearts shirt. Skilful wideman with the ability to cut in and score spectacular goals. Was a valuable contributor to the Tynecastle side which split the Old Firm to finish SPL runners-up in 2006 and started the Scottish Cup final win over Gretna in the same season. Suffered a number of injuries and left Hearts in May 2009. Now playing for Aris Saloniki. Likely to start against Scots.

Saulius Mikoliunas

Baby-faced winger with a penchant for notoriety. Announced his arrival in Scottish football by barging into linesman Andy Davis following the award of a soft penalty to Rangers at Tynecastle in March 2005. Miko, as he became known, was given a double red card and banned for five matches, later cut to three on appeal. He courted controversy again with the dive which won a penalty for Lithuania against Scotland at Hampden the last time the sides met, in 2007. Made over 100 appearances for Hearts and helped them win the Scottish Cup. Now with Arsenal Kyiv of Ukraine.

Andrius Velicka

Scored an impressive 19 league goals in 39 starts during his 18 months at Hearts, winning a 1 million move to Viking Stavanger. Walter Smith brought him back to Scotland to sign for Rangers in summer 2008. Was loaned to Bristol City but suffered a serious injury in his first game. Now fit again, he has been loaned out to Aberdeen. Could start against Scotland, despite his lack of recent game-time.

Ricardas Beniušis

Spent 2007-08 on loan at Hearts from Kaunas but struggled to break through. Played in first game of the season, a home defeat to Hibs, and never started another game.

Returned to Kaunas but now at FK Suduva Marijampole.

Vytautuas Luksa

Never signed for Hearts but was on trial at Tynecastle in summer 2009 and played in pre-season games during a tour of Germany. Currently a team-mate of Mikoliunas.