Lithuania to field young side against Czechs

However, the news that Lithuania coach Raimondas Zutautas intends to use the match as an opportunity to introduce younger players will do little to lift the hopes of the Tartan Army.

Lithuania can no longer qualify for the Euro 2012 play-offs, and with tonight’s match effectively meaningless for them, Zutautas revealed last night that he would be looking to the future when making his team selection.

“We have a chance to try out new arrivals, but at the same time we want to complete the group with a victory,” he said.

“Time is coming when we will have to replace and now just have a chance to try out new ones. Clearly the Czech Republic has a capable and experienced team but I believe my players and the fact that we can achieve a positive result.”

Not all changes will be made through choice. Five players are injured – Edgaras Cesnauskas, Davide Semberas, Thomas Danilevicius, Marius Stankevicius and former Dunfermline defender Andrius Skerla, although Stankevicius and Skerla are rated as less serious concerns. Lithuania will also be without former Hearts winger Deividas Cesnauskis, who is suspended.

As ever, the Tynecastle connection is strong. When the Lithuania squad was named, current Hearts players Marius Zaliukas ande Arvydas Novikovas were joined in the ranks by former Gorgie recruits Saulius Mikoliunas, Kestutis Ivaskevicius and Linas Pilibaitis.

The Czechs were outclassed by Spain on Friday night, going down 2-0 at home, but have their fate in their own hands tonight with a win enough to secure second place unless Scotland pull off the most unlikley of shocks in Spain. They also have the advantage of knowing a draw will be good enough for them to go through should Scotland lose in Spain and the teams finish level on points, because the Czechs would take second place on the basis of having the better of the head-to-head record with Scotland.