The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Lithuania manager says Scots can qualify
However, Jankauskas promises his side will provide ‘relentless’ opposition
Lithuania manager Edgaras Jankauskas believes Scotland can qualify for the 2018 World Cup but will have no qualms about quashing their hopes tonight.
The former Hearts striker, who spent two years at Tynecastle as a player and a season as assistant manager, put a dent in the Scots’ qualification chances with a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park in October.
Scotland sit in fourth place in Group F with eight points from six fixtures ahead of the clash at the LFF stadium in Vilnius.
Gordon Strachan’s side are six points behind leaders England, four behind Slovakia and three behind Slovenia and realistically need four wins in their last four matches to keep alive prospects of reaching Russia next summer.
Jankauskas, whose side are in fifth place with five points, said: “I rate Scotland very highly and I wouldn’t be surprised if they qualified from this group because they are not weaker than anyone in this group and they have proven that in recent games against England and Slovenia.
“I am a big fan of Scottish football, British football, and taking away two points at Hampden was a big achievement for us and tomorrow we are going to fight for victory as well.
“As much as I appreciate Scottish football, we are going to fight and try to be relentless because we have our goals and we are going to follow our dream.
“It is a big game for us as there are not many games of that calibre in this country in a year.
“We might create a big day tomorrow for our supporters and our country and if it is going to be a day to finish Scottish hopes of qualifying, I might be sad.
“But we have a very clear target and we want to put on a great display, compete for every ball and we need a positive result.”
Jankauskas is well aware of the threat of Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, who scored two similar 25-yard free-kicks in the 2-2 draw with England at Hampden Park in June.
Asked at the pre-match press conference at the LFF stadium if he would ask his players to try to not concede set-pieces within the former Hibernian forward’s range, he raised a laugh by saying: “I forbid my players to foul in that area.
“I remember him from my time at Hearts.
“I do remember his free-kicks and he reminded me very well against England.”
Scotland will play on an artificial surface in a competitive game for the first time, and Jankauskas revealed he has asked for it to be watered for safety reasons.
He said: “We did ask for the pitch to be watered in order to prevent injuries. When the pitch is dry, it is kind of dangerous, let’s say.
“So we have asked for that and it will benefit the game overall.”