Naismith’s strike spares blushes for Fletcher

As ever, it was done the hard way, after Darren Fletcher saw his 45th-minute penalty saved by Lithuanian goalkeeper Zydrunas Karcemarskas. Steven Naismith’s strike on the other side of half-time handed the home side a narrow victory, and one which was not without its fraught moments. Finally a referee proved popular at Hampden Park, but only when he blew his final whistle. Relief flooded through the national stadium when Kristinn Jakobsson eventually brought the game to an end as Lithuania aimed to supply Scotland with a second kick in the teeth in four days, following Czech Republic’s late equaliser on Saturday.

Here, however, manager Levein could afford to smile at the end. Despite his stretched resources Scotland had managed to keep their faint interest in the European Championships alive. Barry Bannan distinguished himself on the occasion of his first competitive start, setting up Scotland’s winner just five minutes after half-time. David Goodwillie, too, re-paid his old club manager at Dundee United with a sterling shift in attack.

Levein invested his faith in an inexperienced midfield, although Fletcher, who earned his 55th cap last night, helped make up for the lack of international expertise surrounding him. However, not even he proved infallible. The changes didn’t seem at first to hamper Scotland, whose determination to make up for Saturday’s disappointment saw them win a corner after only five minutes. Against Czech Republic, it had taken nearly 40 minutes. When Karcemarskas, the Lithuania goalkeeper, let the ball sail over him Scotland were able to take heart. This was later proved to be a rather misleading aberration on his part.

The home side, for whom Fletcher performed the holding role in front of the back four, displayed a promising energy in the opening stages. Don Cowie, one of three players making their first starts at Hampden, volleyed just over the bar after 18 minutes, after a knock-down from David Goodwillie, another Hampden debutant.

Midway through the first-half Bannan, who made up the trio, and Naismith swapped flanks, and the two combined for one of only a few goal-scoring opportunities in the opening half. Bannan’s ball was headed into the keeper’s arms by Naismith. The same players came together to create another chance just moments later, with Naismith heading Bannan’s corner just over, after Fletcher’s shot had been saved by the ‘keeper.

It was clear from the empty seats that Saturday’s result had impacted on the attendance. How very different it might have been had Scotland been aiming to complete the pair of victories which had been felt was required from this latest double-header. Still, Hapmden was not a place for the faint-hearted, with failure now not an option following the dropping of two points against the Czech Republic on Saturday. The fans sensed the need for extra support. Cowie, Bannan and Goodwillie were provided with the loudest cheers when the teams were read out. What a time to be making a full competitive debut, on a night when Scotland’s qualifying dreams risked being completely extinguished. According to Levein in his programme notes, qualification remained a “viable objective”.

A goal-less first-half left Scotland with still much to do, but they recovered. Deflation accompanied the players down the tunnel at half-time, in direct contrast to Saturday. A 45th- minute goal from Kenny Miller had buoyed the fans against Czech Republic, and Scotland were given every opportunity to give themselves and the fans a half-time boost last night, when a penalty decision finally went in their favour.

The home team were still recovering from a let-off after Deividas Semberas failed to take advantage of a slip by Gary Caldwell. The Lithuanian defender, having ran with some purpose up the field, then inexplicably chose to shoot despite having two unmarked team-mates to his right. Steven Whittaker, the last remaining Scotland defender, blocked the shot with his legs.

It might have proved damaging for Scotland, who then wasted their own chance to take an interval lead thanks to another moment of madness from a visiting player. Bannan’s free-kick, following a foul on Goodwillie, was handled by Tadus Labukas. Not even Kevin Blom, the hapless referee from Saturday, could have missed such a clear infringement. Fortunately, nor could Iceland’s Kristinn Jakobsson, who immediately pointed to the spot, before issuing Labukas with a yellow card. The referee might have briefly considered making it a red one. By the time Fletcher strode up to take the kick, the Hampden scorboard was again showing 45 minutes.

However, the skipper’s effort was weak, and Karcemarskas dived to his left to save. Scotland were making it hard for themselves, again. Goodwillie, however, helped Scotland make the breakthrough after 50 minutes, shovelling the ball out wide to Bannan, whose intelligent chipped cross out-foxed the Lithuanian back-line and landed invitingly at the feet of Naismith. The Rangers player was already falling when he made a connection with the ball, and his curling shot bashed back into the net off Karcemarskas’ far post. Scotland sought to avoid any anxious moments by extending this lead, with Goodwillie again doing well to retrieve the ball on the right. His cross was headed against a Lithuanian defender by Naismith, and when the ball was returned into the penalty area, this time by the ever more impressive Bannan, Scotland’s goalscorer headed wide.

Substitute Tomas Danilevicius then displayed why Scotland had been desperate to add to Naismith’s strike, heading just past with 15 minutes remaining. Levein, noting the rising tension, made good use of his substitutions, with first Morrison going off, to be replaced by Graham Dorrans, and then Bannan, whose place was taken by Robert Snodgrass. Bannan’s departure was hailed by the Tartan Army. This special tribute was in salute of someone who had come of age on another awkward night for Scotland at Hampden Park.