Captain Darren Fletcher has warned his Scotland team-mates to be wary of Lithuanian cheating in tonight’s opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Kaunus.
The 26-year-old has first-hand experience of the darker side of the game when Saulius Mikoliunas dived to win a penalty for Lithuania under his challenge in a Euro 2008 qualifier at Hampden Park in September 2007.
The Manchester United midfielder made no contact with the former Hearts player, who is now with Ukrainian side Arsenal Kyiv but was outraged by the decision of Slovenian referee Damir Skomina to award a spot kick.
Mikoliunas was subsequently given a two-game international ban but Fletcher is not convinced he will resort to using similar tactics this evening and has urged Turkish official Cuneyt Cakir to remain vigilant.
He said: “It is part of football to gain an advantage, especially in European football. We do not experience it too much in Scotland and England, although there is a little bit of it.
“It is something you have to accept whether we like it or not and just have to trust the referee.
“I was really upset and annoyed at the time and said a few things maybe I should not. It is cheating but I think we see it week in, week out in Champions League and Europa League games.
“I don’t know whether television technology will come into it but I think it will always be there.
“It was one of the worst experiences I have had, only because it was me who allegedly made the foul and the penalty was given when I knew it was not a penalty.
“When I look back I did not get the ball, I did lunge in and maybe I need to learn if I am in the box and you don’t win the ball and even if you don’t take the man it can look suspicious. All you can hope is the referee is strong enough and gets the major decisions right.”
Fletcher knows the importance of making a good start tonight after last month’s deflating friendly defeat by Sweden.
He said: “It would be a confidence boost to win the first game.
“We know Lithuania are improving and we know it is going to be a difficult game. It would be disrespectful to say we are expecting to win, but I would like to think we can win.
“Playing a competitive game does make a difference.
“You want to win every game but this is where it matters, this is where the three points and the qualification is at stake.”
Fletcher was disappointed with his display in Stock-holm and knows an improved performance is needed in Kaunas tonight.
He added: “Maybe the Sweden game was the kick up the backside we needed.
“It is important we put it right against Lithuania.
“My performance against Sweden could have been better. I am my own biggest critic and I know when I have not done as well as I have been expected to or I can.
“We treated the Sweden game like a friendly and the first thing the manager told us was we did not play at a tempo which was expected.
“He made it very clear it was not acceptable, we need to play a quick style which suits us. He expects it in training which should repeat itself in games.
“The players have looked very hungry and there has been a good appetite in training.
“All the preparation has been geared towards this game and qualifying for the European championship.”