Scotland manager Craig Levein has backed David Goodwillie to handle the pressure of making his first international start in crucial circumstances after confirming the striker will face Lithuania tomorrow.

Goodwillie will win his second cap at Hampden after Levein lost Kenny Miller to suspension and Craig Mackail-Smith to a back injury.

The 22-year-old is the only other listed forward in the squad and has played just 14 minutes of international football previously, as a substitute in a friendly win over the Faroe Islands last year.

But Levein, who handed Goodwillie his Dundee United debut, has confidence in the player ahead of the must-win Euro 2012 qualifier.

Levein, who has also lost Charlie Adam to injury and Scott Brown to suspension, said: "I put David Goodwillie in the squad for a reason - that's because I feel he's capable of playing international football."

He added: "David would sit third in the pecking order and what a great opportunity for him.

"What an opportunity for a young lad to get a chance to play in a game of this magnitude.

"Technically he has the ability and also knowing him personally he won't be fazed by the size of this game.

"If I'm David Goodwillie it's an exciting time for me."

Interview with Yakubu only in today's Lancashire Telegraph newspaper.