Scotland top of the group

Lithuania away was always going to be a much sterner test than the Faroe Islands at home, and it's easy to imagine other teams coming unstuck there. Unfortunately, it might not be any of the other teams in contention for a qualifying place - Italy will be desperate to avenge their draw against Lithuania in Naples, France look too good, and Ukraine may well have some kind of regional hex over their smaller neighbours. If that's the case, qualification for Euro 2008 will come down to results between Scotland and these 3, which looks ominous, as Scotland is easily the weakest on paper.

But the fact that Scotland are without question in contention for qualificiation, with 6 points from 2 games and 8 goals so far, is as much as could be hoped for at this stage. The team will fly back to Scotland today to universal praise from the media, and they deserve to feel good about themselves. They've given the fans something to smile about, as the old cliche goes, and Scotland seem to have their mojo back.

Walter Smith is a deeply pragmatic manager, and has said that he will adapt the tactics match by match, depending on the opposition. He was true to his word. The 3 striker formation used against the Faroes was ditched for a 5-3-2 formation, which looked a bit worrying... the danger being that Scotland might concede too much possession in midfield and invite Lithuania to attack.

Sure enough, the home team looked lively and, on oaccasion, threatening, and when McFadden went off with a tweaked hamstring, on came a 6th defender. In the Scotland manager's eyes, the best form of defence is even more defence. It was only when forced into another change before half time (when Kris Boyd replaced Nigel Quashie) that Scotland gained some real presence up front. Sure enough, they scored soon after the break.

McFadden and Kenny Miller (who underlined his importance with a goal last night) both like to scuttle after the ball, harassing defenders and making a nuisance of themselves. This can leave no one near the penalty area, looking to seize on any opportunity that comes their way. Kris Boyd doesn't have anything like the work rate of McFadden or Miller, but he does have the cool-headed finishing of a natural predator. Garry O'Connor missed this game with a stomach bug, but he should get more games too.

That said, the fact that an argument can be had about the merits of different strikers in the squad is a huge step forward from the days when Matt Elliott was stuck upfront because there was no one else considered good enough.

Perhaps the only downside for Scotland is that they didn't play Italy this week. Whether it's World Cup complacency or pre-season lethargy, they have looked terrible, and will surely only be better when Scotland come to play them next March.