Lithuania 0 Scotland 0: Too many missed chances, but it's not a disaster

SCOTLAND hitmen Kenny Miller and Stevie Naismith admitted a night of missed chances can’t be allowed to derail the Euro 2012 bid.

Scotland s David Weir centre Kenny Miller left and Lee McCulloch right Scotland's David Weir (centre) Kenny Miller (left) and Lee McCulloch (right)

Craig Levein’s first competitive international match ended with a 0-0 stalemate against Lithuania in Kaunas.

But after five gubbings on the road in the last 18 months, this was a far more solid Scotland show.

Yet the over-riding feeling on the night was a sense of massive disappointment at chances missed and two points dropped rather than a point gained.

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Miller had one header saved in the second half and Naismith’s passed up two golden opportunities to get Scotland off to a flyer.

After the game a gutted Miller said: “We didn’t get what we deserved. Totally.

“We controlled large chunks of the game without creating any great clear-cut chances.

“There was maybe one for Naisy at the end when he couldn’t quite get his touch right to get a shot away.

“But I felt we did enough to win the game. It was maybe just that final pass or cross that was missing. Overall, we’re

quite happy with how we played and not losing a goal was a bonus.

“My header was maybe as close as we came. When I saw the cross coming over from Barry Robson there was only

one thing I wanted to do – and that was hopefully get it into the back of the net.

“There wasn’t a lot on the cross, I had to generate some power and unfortunately it has gone straight into the

keeper’s hands.

“It’s disappointing to not get the three points because I felt we did enough to get the campaign off to a great start.

“That’s what we wanted. It was unfortunate and we have to look forward to Tuesday against Liechtenstein.

“We can’t be negative about it. Everyone is disappointed but we played well. I felt we dominated the game as much

as we have any away game in the last few years.

“There is not much margin for error left. We would have much preferred to get three points and then followed with

another win on Tuesday.

“It wasn’t to be, but we move on and expect to win at Hampden. Hopefully, the home form will stand us in good

stead for getting second spot.

“The gaffer has come in and been clear about what he wants from us. He wants us to try and pass and play and try things.

“It was just the final pass or cross that could have been better tonight.

“To be honest, I always thought we’d have to get something in Prague, whether win, lose, or draw tonight. That was

always in my mind, so it’s not changed.” Miller’s Rangers pal Naismith was given the nod ahead of James

McFadden and had hoped to crown his fourth cap with a goal.

But in a physical encounter marred by some over-the-top tackling from the home side, Naismith drew a blank.

The attacker said: “We’re very disappointed. We knew it would be tricky given the history, but we had the chances to

get a goal.

“The defence were tremendous and Greegsy had one great save but not much else to do.

“It’s frustrating that we were not able to take our chances.

“I was concentrating on keeping my first shot low and on target.

“I was also conscious of the defender closing me down so I’m a bit gutted I didn’t get any great strike on goal.

“On the whole we did well for most of the night and didn’t get the goal our play merited.

“People would have turned round and said it was a great 1-0 win if we’d got the goal, but at 0-0 it becomes

disappointing.

“It’s the first game of the group and at least it was a much better performance than the Sweden game. The manager

drilled that into us – it had to be better.

“No one is more frustrated than me – when the second chance fell to me I knew that it was a great opportunity, but I

couldn’t get the ball out my feet and the chance petered out.

“We knew they would be physical, any chance they get to break the play up they do it.

“This isn’t the end of the world for us. We were solid, tenacious and did create chances.

“On another day we win by one or two and we have to go forward with a bit more hope.”

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