Scotland vs Lithuania - Strachan faces selection headache ahead of Lithuania qualifier

Posted Saturday, October 08, 2016 by PA

Gordon Strachan admits his Scotland team selections are taking longer than ever as he wrestles with some dilemmas ahead of the World Cup contest with Lithuania.

The Scotland manager watched his three left-backs produce the most impressive week of training he has ever seen, but it is not the only choice he has to make ahead of Saturday's Hampden encounter.

Strachan has the option of sticking with Hull's Andy Robertson or going with Rangers skipper Lee Wallace or Celtic teenager Kieran Tierney.

The latter two pulled out of the opening victory over Malta through injury but, with Slovakia to come on Tuesday in Trnava, Strachan might look to freshen his team up at some stage over the double-header.

"Some of the areas we are very strong, some I'd like to be stronger," Strachan said at his Hampden media conference.

"But areas we have not got a problem is the mental strength, that was proved in the last game. Areas we are happy with is their passion and commitment, we have got that as well.

"If you're talking about individual areas - left-back, incredible, I mean incredible those three this week. As good as I have ever seen, the three of them training, as good as I've ever seen for a position.

"We have people playing well, people not getting a game for their club, that's a factor, but we still think they're good players."

With Alan Hutton injured, Callum Paterson is certain to start at right-back in front of first-choice goalkeeper David Marshall, while centre-backs Russell Martin and Grant Hanley are likely to get the nod again despite the latter struggling for game time at Newcastle.

Darren Fletcher will win his 75th cap in midfield but James McArthur provides strong competition for Barry Bannan in the centre.

Robert Snodgrass, Oliver Burke and Matt Ritchie all performed well in the attacking midfield roles in Scotland's 5-1 victory in Malta but Strachan has the in-form James Forrest and fans' favourite Ikechi Anya pushing for a place.

Up front Leigh Griffiths is fit again after missing the Malta game through injury and seeing both Chris Martin and substitute Steven Fletcher net in his absence.

When asked if it was taking longer to pick his team than usual, Strachan said: "Probably yes, and I think it's right you should give it more time. I have changed my team sometimes through the week from what I thought it was going to be, watching people in training, watching their body language and how they feel about themselves.

"Those three (left-backs) have been outstanding. It is a bit harder. It's good but the big disappointment is when you have got to tell someone who is playing really well that they're not playing, that's the down side to my job."

Lithuania boss Edgaras Jankauskas admits he is worried Scotland's rampaging full-backs could "kill" his side on Saturday night.

He said: "We watched the film of Scotland's game with Malta and we saw how they can harm any team.

"The first half gives us a little hope because when Malta had all their players on the pitch, they did quite well. It was not so easy to break that wall.

"But the match goes for 90 minutes and all the Scottish players are representing clubs in England and Germany and are used to that physical demands of the game.

"I saw a lot of strengths in the Scotland team.

"Those full-back runs created space for them and the crosses can harm any team.

"It was a very good example in the last game against Malta when the full-backs just killed the game with their sharp runs and good crosses into the area."