Dream already in Bits ‘N’ Pieces if Scots can’t bounce back from this

Never mind Bits ‘N’ Pieces. As Astheclockhit88minutesthe clock hit 88 minutes last night there was a World Cup dream which, even in its infancy, was lying in tatters.

Bits ‘N’ Pieces was the tune fans wanted to be played when Scotland scored a goal.

But unfortunately for the Tartan Army, Gordon Strachan’s were miles off key at Hampden and needed James McArthur’s late equaliser to salvage a point against Lithuania.

It looked like a solid foundation in Group F had been laid in Malta last month. But we failed to build on it here and the Scots now have a major job on their hands to recover and qualify for Russia 2018.

Somehow, Strachan will have to lift his men in the space of 72 hours with a trip to Slovakia up next on Tuesday night.

Before this abject display, a point in Bratislava would have been viewed as a positive result.

But not now. Fiodor Cernych’s strike at Hampden surely means nothing less than a victory in midweek will suffice.

It’s difficult trying to look for positives. Scotland were awful for huge chunks of this 90 minutes.

Lithuania keeper Ernestas Setkus wasn’t forced into a save of any note before McArthur made it 1-1.

Which means the task facing Strachan and his side to be at the World Cup just got even greater.

Incredibly, this was the first time in f ive years Scotland haven’t changed their starting line-up from a previous game. Strachan opted to go for the same team who eventually hammered the Maltese 5-1 despite the manager admitting we got a lucky break with a penalty at 1-1.

The most controversial pick was Fulham’s Chris Martin up front again. When he got the nod in Malta, Steven Fletcher wasn’t scoring goals for Sheffield Wednesday and Leigh Griffiths wasn’t fit.

But that pair were left kicking their heels on the bench.

As was Crystal Palace midfielder McArthur, who must have been in Strachan’s thoughts for a start after his performances this season.

Fair play to the Scotland gaffer – he’s nothing if not loyal.

But after the first half hour here, Strachan must have been seriously wondering i f his faith was misplaced. Make no mistake, we were rotten in the opening period.

The Lithuanians, who drew 2-2 with Slovenia in their opener, settled quicker than Scotland.

Their passing was slicker, movement bet ter and – as Strachan had predicted – they were having a go at us.

Edgaras Jankauskas had pretty much matched up to the Scots’ 4-1-4-1 formation and the home side just couldn’t get going.

Skipper Darren Fletcher and Barry Bannan weren’t dictating from the middle of the park.

Tal isman Robert Snodgrass wasn’t getting on the ball in that No.10 role enough just off Martin.

There were too many slack balls, sloppy bits of control and a lack of quality. The 40,000 punters were desperate to see £13 million kid Oliver Burke get at the Lithuanians.

But even he looked nervous, apart from the couple of times he opened up his legs on the right flank and at least give them something to think about.

A Callum Paterson header, Snodgrass’ free-kick and Martin’s close-range stab at goal all drifted wide as Scotland failed to test Setkus at any point.

Granted, Jankauskas’ men didn’t look par ticularly dangerous themselves. But at home, in front of this crowd, it was up to Strachan’s team to take the initiative.

Someone had to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and give the Tartan Army something to shout about.

Instead, they were left feeling numb at the break.

The promising start in Malta was in danger of being eroded very