Levein hits back at critics

After drawing 2-2 with Czech Republic at the national stadium, where Scotland were on the wrong end of two dubious penalty incidents, the Scots needed a win against Lithuania to keep them in with a chance of a playoff spot.

Captain Darren Fletcher had a penalty saved by Zydrunas Karcemarskas a minute before the break but in the 49th minute Naismith slammed in the winner to take Levein's side to within two points of playoff rivals Czech Republic with both countries having two games remaining.

However, the former Dundee United and Hearts boss was still unhappy about the fallout from the weekend.

"What frustrates me is that it is either up there or down there, there is no middle ground," said Levein.

"We had a 2-2 draw on Saturday and should have won the match but in the resultant furore, people were questioning what I am trying to do, what the players are trying to do and what the SFA are trying to do.

"I don't understand why after a game in which I thought we played quite well.

"We are a year into what I consider to be a long-term project and yes, I will be judged on results.

"But there is a plan here, it is not haphazard.

"But what does annoy me is that on Saturday, the lads ran their hearts out and played some good stuff and it was snatched away from us and since the weekend one journalist asked the chief executive (Stewart Regan) if I was getting a vote of confidence.

"It frustrates me and I am just asking you for some patience."

Levein continued: "Some people seem intent to try to derail anything positive that comes out the camp.

"I can tell you that myself, the backroom staff and players believe what we are trying to do and I ask you to try and back us.

"I think it is important that the media get behind the team, especially when we have a lot of young lads in the team.

"We are trying to play a different style of football, we are trying to pass the ball and be entertaining and I am asking for your help."

Scotland are away to Liechtenstein and runaway Group I winner Spain in October while the Czechs have still to play Lithuania and the world and European champion.

Levein admits he is frustrated that qualification is out of Scotland's hands.

He said: "I was pleased and I think we deserved to win the game.

"But I would rather be in a better position. I go back to Saturday and I am still angry about that.

"We played a good game and with minutes left we were in the position to win the game and it was taken out of our hands."

On Fletcher's penalty miss, the Scotland boss said: "I spoke to Darren beforehand and he said he would take it.

"It won't be the first or last penalty to be missed.

"That's football. If you miss a penalty in the first half you still have plenty of time to recover.

"Darren was immense tonight and he is a delight to work with."