GORDON: IT’S NOT MUST WIN
From Back Page Strachan’s side are languishing in fourth spot behind England, Slovakia and Slovenia and failure to win in Vilnius tonight would make qualification seem almost impossible.
However, despite the perilous Group F position, Strachan is refusing to label the clash in the LFF Stadium as win or bust.
When asked if Scotland’s task was simplified by a basic need to triumph, he said: “You don’t have to win the game.
“If you get a point and you win the next three games, that’s 10 points. You couldn’t tell me 10 points couldn’t do it. That’s why it isn’t a must-win.
“We are going to try to play like it is a must-win but play it in a way where we don’t try to win it by being silly and lose it.”
Strachan’s stance may be designed to relieve tension from his troops but he’s adamant there is no added stress within the group
The Scotland boss said: “There’s a wee bit of nerves but you should have that in every game.
“We should be nervous of the other team with the ball but when you have the ball I say to the players have no fear whatsoever.”
Strachan, who lost Darren Fletcher to injury before the team-flight left for Vilnius, knows the seriousness of the position within the section at the moment.
Defeat will signal the end but he said: “I’m OK, I’m good. There’s no point worrying about something until it happens.
“The players make me feel good because when I see them in training they spur me on. It all starts as soon as they meet, the first minute you meet them.
“There is psychology to it, there is training, the formation that you pass on. There won’t be a Churchillian speech that makes them feel any better.
“That can work now and then but in general you make sure the players are prepared, comfortable, with the amount of time they put into it, the training, the information you give them about the opposition.
“I don’t worry. There is plenty of time to worry after the occasion.
“I said to the players at Coventry when I first got the job and we were bottom of the league: ‘Don’t worry about it, we’re not there yet.’
“Only worry when we get relegated. We stayed up. So I wouldn’t really worry about anything.
“I am aware of what’s going on. I understand the importance but you relish it. It is a challenge.
“We know that every game is difficult, especially here against Lithuania. T
“They don’t have a big squad and play like a club side as they all know each other so well.
“Slovenia came here and it was 2-0 to Lithuania then ended up 2-2 so that’s enough for you guys to know it just doesn’t happen.
“When Lithuania played at Wembley it was only 2-0 to England.
“I think we are good enough to win every game but we also have frailties that can make us lose every game.
“On the day, you want to make sure there are more strengths than frailties.” TODAY Lithuania v Scotland Malta v England Slovakia v Slovenia MONDAY England v Slovakia Scotland v Malta Slovenia v Lithuania OCT 5, 2017 England v Slovenia Malta v Lithuania Scotland v Slovakia OCT 8, 2017 Lithuania v England Slovakia v Malta Slovenia v Scotland COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTL