Scotland had the backing of a nation when they played Lithuania yesterday, but a little corner of Lanarkshire reserved a special cheer for the opposition.

George Powtney, brother of the Scottish Lithuanian Cultural and Recreational Social Club vice-president Allan Powtney, said: "I'll be supporting Scotland - I think."

President Alex Paton said: "We've had all sorts of calls from people looking for tickets for the game this week but we didn't have any to give out.

"The club was set up for Lithuanians arriving in this country by the late Joseph Blue who came here after the Second World War.

An estimated 5000-10,000 Lithuanians lived in Lanarkshire at one stage.

Blue's widow Catherine, the club treasurer, said: "The Lithuanian community has been here for years, even from before the First World War.

"Matt Busby was of Lithuanian descent and Billy McNeill's mother was Lithuanian.

"Billy's father and mother used to come to the club until they moved away from the area.