Lithuania believe they can cause upset, says Novikovas

THE banter has been flying at Hearts. As Scotland prepare to face Lithuania in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier next week, there is a notable division in the ranks. The Scots are adamant that they will depart Kaunas with all three points but not everyone in the Tynecastle dressing room is buying into that.

"All the time me and Marius (Zaliukas] are joking with the Scottish players," says 19-year-old Arvydas Novikovas. "We say that Spain will win the group but Lithuania will be fighting Czech Republic for second place! The Scottish guys don't think so but we joke about it."

All fun and games but given the prevailing mood in the winger's home country, he says there is a genuine feeling that they can overhaul the apparent advantage the Scots have in terms of world rankings and get their campaign off to a positive start.

"There is very much confidence in Lithuania. I don't really know why, but we feel we must win." Named man of the match in Tuesday night's Co-operative Insurance Cup victory over Elgin City thanks to a fine display which included his first goal for Hearts, Novikovas has 12 under-21 caps and made his first-team debut for the Lithuanians against Ukraine in May. He has been omitted from the squad to face Scotland, but says the players who do make the starting line-up will be confident of upsetting Craig Levein's side.

Had he played, there was the distinct possibility he would have been directly up against clubmate Lee Wallace. "I play against Lee sometimes in training and he is a good player and will be difficult to play against."

At the moment there are two Lithuanians in the Hearts first team squad and with a return match at Hampden to come next year, Novikovas hopes he will still have back-up when that game comes round. "When I came to Hearts there was maybe six Lithuanians but I was with the 19s training, not with the first team. Now I am (with the first team] and it is very good for me because Marius is the captain. That is good for me and that gives me more confidence. He has been good at helping me settle into the team and I hope he will sign a new contract. I have said he must."

But, denied a place in the squad this time round, he is keen to impress throughout the current season and not only hold down a place in Hearts' starting line-up but do enough to ensure he is in the Lithuania side when they travel to Hampden.

"In my position I have Andy Driver, who is now injured but will start training again soon, (David] Templeton, Suso (Santana], a lot of competition. So I must work hard. But I am enjoying it and the manager has given me a chance to play and if someone is injured he gives me the chance straight away.

"He has said this could be my season and if I play good then he will always give me a chance."

He will simply be an observer next Friday but if Lithuania get the result he and Zaliukas are predicting, Hearts' Scottish contingent can be sure he will not be sitting on the sidelines when the good-natured ribbing is being dished out.