Plastic pitch is just as big a worry for the Lithuanians
But Hibs star Deivydas Matulevicius insists plastic ain’t fantastic for the home side, either!
Towering striker Matulevicius is one of two Hibees – the other is Vykintas Slivka – called up to face Scotland by Lithuania boss – and former Hearts star Edgaras Jankauskas.
He insists his countrymen are as unhappy about having to play on the LFF Stadium’s plastic pitch as Scotland are.
But the 28-year-old admits having a full week to get used to the surface in Vilnius should work in Lithuania’s favour.
“It’s a shame for us too,” said Matulevicius.
“We don’t have a good stadium in Lithuania at this time.
“Nobody likes to play on this pitch, but we don’t have another choice. We don’t have a national stadium.
“It’s really hard for teams who come from good stadiums to play on this pitch. The football is really different.
“But I think it’s more difficult for away teams, because we have a week to train on it before the game.
“It is very different from playing on grass. If they put water on it, it is different and if they don’t put water on it, is different, so you never know.
“Some players, they play and train on this pitch every day, but for others coming in it is more difficult.
“But having a week to train on it should be a plus for us.”
St Johnstone have already come a cropper at the LFF Stadium this season, losing in the Europa League to FK Trakai.
Like Saints, Scotland are the bookies favourites to claim victory – despite the playing surface. But the result the last time the teams met is also a cause for concern.
The Scots required a last-gasp James McArthur leveller to spare their blushes at Hampden in October.
Even so, Matulivicius – who watched that game from the Lithuanian bench – revealed Hibs’ Scotland contingent are confident of snatching a win.
“Every day we are joking with Steven Whittaker and John McGinn, so we will wait for this game to see what happens,” said the 6ft 3in hit-man.
“In the last game we got a draw, but Scotland scored in the last seconds, so let’s see.
“I thought we were the better team – that’s only my opinion.
“Maybe Scotland have big names. But you don’t play names, you play the team.
“So we will look forward, and on Friday we will see who is the better team.”
Should Lithuania prove themselves to be top dogs on the day, Matulivicius reckons their gaffer, former Hearts star Jankauskas, will deserve the lion’s share of the credit.
“He is a big inspiration. He was a top player. He was with Mourinho when Porto won the Champions League,” he said.
“Every time you meet with the national team, he tells you something you can take away with you.
“He is young but he played in big teams, in Champions League finals, so he has a lot to offer.”