As a Scotland fan, I was very confident of Scotland's chances going into this game. That was until I saw the starting eleven.
A 4-2-3-1 formation which played like a 4-5-1 is useful when playing away from home or playing against quality opposition. Lithuania, ranked outside the world's top 100, are not quality opposition. A 4-4-2 was the formation needed last night when playing a below-average side at Hampden.
To make matters worse Strachan started Chris Martin as the lone striker. Chris Martin is a good player, however when you have the choice of Leigh Griffiths, Steven Fletcher and Martin for that role, the Celtic striker should win out every time. I seriously doubt there were any members of the Tartan Army who wanted to see Martin over Griffiths.
That's not mentioning the vendetta Gordon Strachan seems to have against Ross McCormack and Jordan Rhodes.
As for Lithuania, they looked incredibly average, that's probably the worst Lithuania side I've seen. Scraping a draw with them is a national embarrassment. If Lithuania play as they did last night, I can guarantee that when they play Slovakia next month, Hamsik and company will put several past them.
As usual the excuses will be made. "Lithuania should have had a man sent off", "Chris Martin should have had a penalty" and the usual "The referee was biased against us!". I'm sorry but after 18 years of Scottish heartache and disappointment these excuses don't cut the mustard.
Player By Player:
David Marshall - 7
In all fairness to David Marshall, Lithuania only created a handful of chances and the saves he did make kept Scotland in the game. As for the goal, there wasn't too much more he could have done to prevent the Lithuanians taking the lead. He gave a solid performance on a night we didn't see much of him.
Callum Paterson - 5
The young right back put in a below average performance last night. He is still an improvement on the other players who have put on the number 2 shirt for Scotland in recent years. Poor passing and an inability to hold onto the ball was his downfall last night, an abnormal blip for the Hearts right back.
Grant Hanley - 5
A very poor showing from Hanley last night. He was repeatedly being found out on the counter from Novikovas as well as being responsible for the Lithuania goal. At least he was responsible for the assist to the equalizer in the 90th minute. Being blunt, it was probably his worst game in Scotland shirt for a very long time.
Russell Martin - 6
Martin was average on a night that Scotland looked utter trash. He was able to get away with it as the opposition were very poor. If he plays the same way against Slovakia, then Scotland will be in huge trouble.
Andy Robertson - 8
Scotland's most creative player and best performer by a country mile. The only threats from Scotland were coming from Robertson on the left flank. He gave the supporters who have been calling for Tierney to replace him, some Humble pie, as well as a fork and knife to eat it.
Barry Bannan - 7
Bannan was alongside Robertson and Snodgrass as Scotland's best performers. Looked dangerous on occasion and provided great link up play with Snodgrass and Robertson on the left wing.
Darren Fletcher - 6
Fletcher didn't show much in his 45 minutes of action, but looked like a captaining figure in a side that needed some leadership. Scotland fans can only hope his injury is not too severe, as he will be a key figure on Tuesday night.
Oliver Burke - 5
The young Red Bull Leipzig midfielder looked disappointing on a night where some of his magic would have came in useful. There was plenty effort from the 19 year-old but it just wasn't his night. Strachan's decision for Burke to be substituted after 56 minutes was probably the correct call.
Robert Snodgrass - 7
Snodgrass looked like he could be the provider for a Scotland goal, if there was a striker that could finish it for him. It was a welcome return for Snodgrass to the Scotland squad and the Starting XI looks stronger with him included.
Matt Richie - 6
A very poor performance from the Newcastle player. He was nearly anonymous during the match, except from the occasional blocked shot that gave away possession.
Chris Martin - 4
Never looked like scoring, in a match that needed goalscorers. Barely got a shot on target and has simply awful at holding the ball up. Scotland would have been just as well playing the Coldplay singer. He should have came off at half time for Griffiths, not the 79th minute.
Verdict.
Strachan's comments after the game bordered on delusional. The honest truth is that Gordon Strachan lost the support of the large section of the Tartan Army last night and he has Tuesday night to either make or break the campaign.
Fortunately, Slovenia did us a huge favour last night in beating Slovakia, but if Scotland play as they did last night, they may end up 5th in this group so it would e absolutely worthless.
Scotland need two points from Slovakia and England, making Tuesday pretty much a must-win game. If Scotland lose, Strachan should receive his P45 as soon as he lands in Glasgow on the Wednesday morning.
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