Lithuania v Scotland preview

Levein: Competitive bow

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Craig Levein is hoping for a winning start as he travels to Lithuania for his first competitive match as Scotland manager.

Levein's men open their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a difficult trip to Kaunas, in which defender David Weir will become the oldest player to represent Scotland.

Levein was handed the reins in December after George Burley failed to secure qualification to this summer's World Cup and the former Dundee United boss will lead Scotland's latest attempt to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

Hopes were high for the new era as Scotland enjoyed a 1-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic in March but a 3-0 defeat in Sweden last month showed that the Scots will have a battle on to qualify, with reigning world and European champions Spain expected to top Group I.

The Czechs are expected to be Scotland's biggest rival for qualification but with Lithuania also hoping to be vying for second place, Scotland could do with picking up at least a point in Kaunas.

Changes

Levein has already named his starting line-up, making eight changes to the side which started the friendly defeat in Sweden, and he appears to have gone with a cautious 4-5-1 formation.

"He has made it very clear that the performance in Sweden wasn't acceptable," said captain Darren Fletcher.

"So maybe that result was a timely reminder of getting back to basics and the manager stamping his authority on the team."

Levein's men will come up against some familiar faces with the Lithuania side set to feature several players who have plied their trade in Scotland.

They include Rangers striker Andrius Velicka, currently on loan at Aberdeen, and Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas, who is determined to lead Lithuania to a famous win.

"It's going to be probably the most important game of my career and I hope for a sweet victory," he said.

"All their players are a threat but we are not a bad team and we're looking to win this game. It's not going to be easy but we're looking to fight with Czech Republic for second place."

Team news

Scotland have gone for an experienced defence, where Alan Hutton, Stephen McManus and Steven Whittaker will be joined by Rangers centre-back Weir, who will become Scotland's oldest player having turned 40 in May.

Goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Fletcher and fellow midfielder Barry Robson are the only three to keep their place from the Sweden friendly, while Steven Naismith has been rewarded for his early-season form for Rangers.

The 23-year-old is expected to play on the right of a five-man midfield, with Kenny Miller deployed as a lone striker.

Lee McCulloch has been recalled for his first international appearance since November 2007 and makes it six Rangers players in the starting line-up.

Lithuania's squad also features Saulius Mikoliunas, Deividas Cesnauskis, Ricardas Beniusis, Linas Pilibaitis, Kestutis Ivaskevicius and Andrius Skerla, who have all spent time in Scotland.

The two nations have met three times in Lithuania and have an identical record of one win, one draw and one loss, with Miller's winner securing a 2-1 victory when Scotland last visited for a Euro 2008 qualifier in September 2006.

Scotland: McGregor, Hutton, Weir, McManus, Whittaker, Naismith, McCulloch, Fletcher, Brown, Robson, Miller.