Competition up front is particularly fierce following the enforced withdrawal of talismanic striker Kenny Miller through injury.

Starting roles are expected to go to Kris Boyd and Garry O'Connor but West Brom's Craig Beattie and Aston Villa's Shaun Maloney will point to recent goalscoring exploits for their respective clubs, while James McFadden will be hoping to be involved having made his long awaited Scotland comeback against South Africa last month.

Berti Vogts was famously accused of "handing out caps like sweeties" at the height of his disastrous reign. McLeish, it would appear, has a very different problem ahead of the vital Euro 2008 qualifier.

"The strikers are all in form and it's going to be a tough decision who to choose," said the national team coach, with another crunch qualifier in France looming large four days later.

"They are all scoring goals. James McFadden played his first game in Scotland colours for the first time in a while and it's great to have him back. O'Connor has been scoring, Boydy continues to score and Maloney and Beattie have also been scoring.

"Every one of the players can say they have a case for starting."

McLeish added: "I don't care where the goals come from. They can come from anywhere.

"A set-piece, a centre-half, a full-back, a free-kick - or a free-scoring centre-forward who has been doing well for Scotland."

Some positions are no-brainers for McLeish. Craig Gordon will start in goal, supported by David Weir and Stephen McManus at the heart of defence, while Jay McEveley has also been confirmed at left-back in the absence of the injured Gary Naysmith.

The other defensive flank is more tricky. McLeish may opt for the experience of 30-times-capped Graham Alexander but he also has the option of the youthful athleticism of Alan Hutton.

Barry Ferguson's suspension also leaves a gap in midfield to be filled.

"It's a tough decision for me to make, to pick 11 players for the starting line-up," said McLeish. "I know the players left out will be disappointed.

"The players not even in the 18 will be even more disappointed. But you have to buy into the idea of a squad concept.

"They are gaining in experience every time they set foot on the field in an international jersey.

"They are also doing well for their clubs. One or two are in and out but, at the same time, when they have come in they have made a contribution. That helps me.

"At the end of the day, I have to be selfish and pick what I think is best for any given day.

"Unfortunately one or two of the players will miss out on the day but we know their chance will come."

He added: "We do have options. We can change the tactics, we can change the formation. We did it in the Aberdeen game against South Africa very successfully.

"That's the beauty of this squad, that we can put down some tactics and know that, if we change it or bring someone on for inspiration, we have that option also."

McLeish has already stated a reluctance to pump Hearts assistant coach Stephen Frail for inside information on tomorrow's opponents, despite six Tynecastle players being named in the Lithuanian squad.

However, Jim Stewart, the Scotland goalkeeping coach, has eagerly contributed to McLeish's dossier having now cut his own ties with the Edinburgh club to join Rangers.

"Jim Stewart is part of our set-up here and Jim knows a wee bit about the players at Hearts," said McLeish. "It's only natural that, with Jim being involved in the Scotland set-up, he should let me know anything I need to know.

"However, I think it would be completely unfair of me to phone Stevie Frail and ask him anything about the Lithuania players."

McLeish already knows enough about Algimantas Liubinskas' men to be confident of having three points in the bag before a daunting trip to Paris to face the formidable Group B leaders in their own backyard.

"We are good enough to win tomorrow," he stated. "I'm not going to say anything stupid that the Lithuanians will pin up on the board, we are not going to disrespect them.

"But we do have the tools to do it. We have the power, the work ethic, we have the skill and we also have the fans.

"In the past people have said we have struggled in games like this because we don't have enough creative players in the Scotland set-up.

"That's the challenge for us, we have to prove people wrong. We have won the last one and we have to win the next one.

"The proof is there with the results so there is no reason for the players to go out there and say, 'I wonder if we can win'.

"They know they can do it because they have done it before.

"They have shown the confidence and they have to believe they can do it again."