MikeyGC

The game was decided in the first 5 minutes of the second half. We rushed the chances we were given whilst England were clinical. They created very little in the first half, the one opportunity they had was a well taken header which they scored. Once the 2nd goal went in, just after the good chances we had, it was game over. Can't fault the effort of the players tonight, like Strachan said in his post-match interview, when England's confidence is high at Wembley, very little you can do last 15 minutes when England were played keep ball.

Mark McGhee said in the press conference today that Andy Murray will be present at the game on Friday. Wouldn't it be a great idea if he was present in the changing room before the match? A fellow Scot full of confidence and self belief at the moment. If I had to pick two people to be in that changing room before the game to inspire the players it would be Andy Murray and Sir Alex Ferguson (I'm sure he'll also be attending the game). Anybody else agree? The idea was brought up also on Sportsound tonight. - Sorry I know it's slightly off topic! IMO this would be one of the, if not the greatest week of sporting history for Scotland.

I'm all for wearing a poppy and respecting British soliders who fought and have died in past wars and in wars occuring today however, it should be left out of football or any sporting event. I liked the suggestion somebody made earlier of both teams gathering before the game to show their respect with TV cameras / photographers present and make a deal out of it then. Lay a wreath during the Armistice Day Ceremony or something like that but when it comes to the evening focus on the football. Even a minute silence before the game I'd welcome however a competitive Scotland vs England game doesn't come round often, let's enjoy it for what it is and focus on the football.

Reports seem to be emerging stating that Strachan is to stay for the England game. Thoughts?

Don't know what's to say. Campaign over after 3 games.

Observations last night: - First time I've seen Paterson play 'live' and if anything he looks more like a right midfielder. Looks comfortable and dangerous going forward however looks out his depth when defending. - In the first half we were very flat and lost the ball a lot in the Lithuania half. However it didn't help that almost every time in the first half when we received the ball on the half way line we were fouled breaking up the play, which I think for tactical reasons was done by Lithuania. - Saying that however, when we did get into their half, there was a lack of movement and options for the man on the ball as well as all round careless passing. Only movement I really saw was by Snodgrass. - Strachan said we played well in the second half and I tend to agree with him. Apart from conceding the goal which to be fair to Lithuania was a well worked goal however was preventable, we played some good stuff however lacked the final touch to score (Griffiths header / Martins flick on). - We had a lot of the ball however tended not to do much with it. A lot of turning back or passing to the side. - We also, apart from Burke, never take players on and drive at them. Lithuanian players **** themselves when Burke ran at them, something I'd like Ritchie to do more often as he has the pace to do so. - Overall, first half was shocking, 2nd half played much better however does not take away the fact that we have just drawn (feels like a loss) to Lithuania at home. Only thing I can say to brighten hopes is that Wales drew to Georgia tonight at home also, at least we aren't the only home nation to get a disappointing result at home!!

See where your coming from. I'll be more specific as in we play better but don't seem to have the bottle to get a result / finish the team off. Looking back at 'big' games at Hampden: Poland, Germany, Spain, France & Italy - I know Spain, France & Italy were a while ago - however these are the ones that come into mind: Thought we played well in a few of these games (Germany and Spain the only ones I can remember as I was quite young during the time of the France & Italy games). Germany, Spain and Italy were world champions when we played them at the time and their class shone through (not Italy's 2nd goal) however didn't think we played badly in Germany / Spain games. Poland we maybe didn't play particularly well however got a result - and should have won! Away from home in recent memory Germany - 2-1 a close game if I remember correctly and Poland 2-2 a game we lead in. In my opinion we are better at playing teams who put us under pressure as we are able to break quickly.

As people are pointing out on here, Wales have just dropped points against Georgia at home. I think our score, and Wales', underlines the fact that the 'minnow' teams of the international stage are becoming stronger. But onto our group not many people have pointed out England's result last night. 2-0 against MALTA at home. Yes it's Southgates first game in charge and they were winning 2-0 at half time so maybe tried something different in the 2nd half (not sure if they did because I didn't watch the game) but that's poor result considering the players England have. Do think they could be there for the taking at Hampden next year. Tuesday - we need a win! I've said for a long time, Scotland are suited to playing better teams. We're better on the counter attack than we are at trying to break teams down who sit back so feel we can get a result!

SQUAD UPDATE: Alan Hutton OUT. SFA have not said if anybody is replacing him or not at the moment.

I probably wouldn't change the team. Martin was quiet, however popped up, scored a goal and won a penalty even though it should never have been given! Only thing I'd think about would be centre backs game time. Russell Martin and Hanley currently aren't getting any games for their clubs however Berra is. Maybe swap Berra for one of them seeing as he'll be more 'match ready'? Also depends on injuries, hopefully that won't be a factor though!

100% agree, however could you imagine the reaction on here if we'd lost / drawn? Hopefully he is, fully expect Bannan and Burke to both keep their starting places, Burke played well a real threat with his power & place and Bannan was brilliant.

Praise to Gordon Strachan last night, not much people giving him credit. Made some brave decisions starting Burke, Martin and Paterson - not the 'tried and tested' people always go on about. He also got the players in at half time, who were a bit shaken, calmed them down and got them playing again. Fair play to him, made bold decisions which paid off, long may it continue!

Brilliant way to start the campaign! Thought Burke looked good when he was on, isn't scared of running at players and got into dangerous areas on a couple of occasions. Snodgrass will be massively important for us this campaign, praying he stays fit! Defence however looked weak throughout. It doesn't help when your two starting centre backs have had next to no game time. In my opinion, Berra should have started as he's playing weekly. However may not have a 'partnership' with either of the other two centre backs yet! Bring on Lithuania at Hampden!!

England last minute goal. :/

*SQUAD UPDATE* via Scottish FA Twitter. OUT: Leigh Griffiths, Kieran Tierney, Kevin McDonald, James McArthur. IN: Lee Wallace & Tony Watt.

Happy he's had a call up, was on YouTube looking at some videos of him as admittedly I've never seen him play, but by the looks of the videos he looks quality! Recon the move to Germany was the best move for him, just hope he doesn't do a 'Ryan Guald' - get out there and play no first team football!

Marshall Paterson Martin Hanley Robertson Fletcher McArthur Richie Snodgrass Forrest Griffiths

Happy to see Tierny, Paterson, Burke and McGinn included, however surely Hutton and Greer have had their day? Don't want to dwell on it too much, want to go into this campaign with a positive attitude, cmon Scotland!!

I say keep however if we don't have the maximum 6 points after the first 2 games he'll be under real real pressure. I like Strachan, we're playing better football under him compared to past years however his squad selections have been awful. If it was Levein, the press would have his head. On another note, just watched Henry's programme on BBC about past Euro's / World Cup's, making me even more depressed we won't be there!!

My prediction on how the campaign will go: Malta Away: Win (Praying). Lithuania Home: Win. Slovakia Away: Lose/draw. England Away: Lose. Slovenia Home: Win. England Home: Lose (Hate to say it but need to be realistic). Lithuania Away: Win/draw (However could also be our bogey / 'Georgia' match). Malta Home: Win. Slovakia Home: Win/draw (Will be similar to Poland game at home I think & may be a must win). Slovenia Away: Win/draw (Optomisitic Prediction). Really hoping England do what they usually do in their qualifying groups and walk it by beating every other team, and not dropping points to our 'group rivals'.

Watched the SFA highlights of Strachan's press conference after the game and he sounded / looked like a defeated man. He needs two wins in our opening two World Cup Qualifiers if he is to stay on as coach imo.

Hahaha as I am typing this, we're passing the ball around our half like its 0-0!!!!

I don't think we've even been playing that badly. France are just absolutely world class.

This could be a long night.

Malta currently getting beaten 1-0 by Austria away from home 10 minutes in.