‘We aim to win in Spain’ - Levein

Craig Levein has claimed that a date with destiny in Alicante on Tuesday night holds no fear for his players after Scotland moved into pole position to secure a play-off place for Euro 2012 with a 1-0 win over Liechtenstein.

Scotland posted only their third victory in seven qualifying games last night in Liechtenstein, courtesy of a Craig Mackail-Smith goal on his competitive debut. The Scots passed up numerous chances to extend this lead and lived dangerously at the end. But Levein branded it “job done” afterwards and, for the first time, was able to turn his attention solely to Tuesday’s fixture.

“You can’t compare today’s game with the the game on Tueaday - they are two different matches altogether,” he said. “We will be ready and prepared for the game in Tuesday. We have one thought in mind - to try and win the match.”

In contrast with Scotland’s faltering progress in Group I, Spain have won each of their seven qualifiers and will look to make it a full house of victories in Alicante. Scotland can hang onto second place even should they lose against the world champions. But for this to happen Czech Republic must also lose in Lithuania.

“The intention today was to move into second place in the table,” said Levein. “And now we are in a position where second place is ours to lose. We have a group of players who are confident. We are in a position now which I would have taken at the start of the campaign. If we win the game we are second - it’s a fact.”

Levein sensed that there might be some disbelievers in the room. Scotland had just struggled to overcome a team ranked 118 in the world. Now they may have to beat the best team on the planet in a stadium where the hosts have never lost.

“It is a tall order, we understand that,” said Levein. “But there is nothing for us to fear, that’s the important thing. Nothing to fear.

“We are playing the world champions, yes of course. But we are in the position that if we win the game we qualify (for a play-off]. Why should you be incredulous that that’s possible? I believe wholeheartedly in the players and their ability to rise to the challenge,” he added.

Levein stated that he was thinking only of victory in Alicante, even though a Lithuanian win over Czech Republic would maintain Scotland’s position as runners-up whatever happens against Spain.

“I can’t rely on that,” he said.

“I have no influence over that so it makes complete sense for me to do everything we can to win the game on Tuesday night. Of course I recognise it is difficult. But we go there with quite a lot of supporters inside the stadium, and I am sure the lads will run themselves into the ground to get that second spot.”

Scotland continue to live on the edge after a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein high in Alpine territory. The win proved the most important thing but the Scots again made heavy weather of it in the incessant rain. Steven Naismith missed three fine opportunities in the first-half although Scotland were 1-0 up by the interval, after Mackail-Smith’s 32nd minute header.

“For long spells I was really pleased with how we played although obviously I would have preferred to have got that second goal to make things a little easier for us.”

He praised Mackail-Smith’s contribution. “To make your competitive debut for your country and score the winning goal, his confidence will be sky high,” Levein said.

Of Darren Fletcher, who flew out to join his team-mates on Friday after recoverng from a bout of tonsillitis, Levein said: “He has gone beyond the call of duty again tonight. He can’t be 100 per cent but he has done it again with another fantastic performance.”

The captain was a little more conciliatory about relaying on a result in Kaunas for help on Tyesday. “It’s going to be very difficult to go to Spain and win so we’re going to need a little help from Lithuania,” Fletcher said. “But a shock can happen.”

Levein added that Kenny Miller may yet return for the Spain game after missing last night’s match with a groin injury.

“He continues to have a chance of featuring on Tuesday,” said the national coach. “Yesterday he did 50 per cent of a training session and he felt his groin ever so sightly, and didn’t want to go beyond that point. We will re-assess tomorrow an Monday.”

It was Miller’s absence which allowed Mackail-Smith to step in and become the hero.