Steven Whittaker has called on the nation to wipe the slate clean – and judge Craig Levein’s side starting tonight in Kaunas.

The Rangers full-back is one of six Ibrox stars in the side for the crucial opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Lithuania.

The team is: McGregor; Hutton, Weir, McManus, Whittaker; McCulloch, Brown, Fletcher, Naismith, Robson; Miller.

Scotland are attempting to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

But this is just the third game of the Levein reign and, even though the national side were thrashed 3-0 by Sweden in a friendly last month, Whittaker insists it’s what happens now that counts. “The qualifiers are the games you are building towards, and hopefully we’re ready to get on with the task ahead.

“We’ve got to be looking to take maximum points to get off to a good start – that is the target, and what we’ll be judged on.”

Whittaker believes the man to help Scotland achieve their aim is the player who is defying time, Davie Weir.

The 40-year-old has been brought back to restore some much-needed organisation to the backline.

Whittaker added: “In Stockholm, there was lack of experience in our team, and we didn’t get off to a good start. They were a good side.

“The effort is always there from the boys, and hopefully this time we can keep the goals out and play better as well.

“We’ve missed someone like Davie, especially with Gary Caldwell being injured. We have missed that experience back there. Davie definitely gives us that. I play and train with him, and he is a top professional and deserves, on his form, to be back in the squad. He will be a big player for us.”

It might seem like desperate measures to have to recall a man who is now in his fifth decade.

But Whittaker reckons we can get too hung up on the fact last season’s Player of the Year is 40.

“For me, his age is just a number,” he argued. “It does not matter. If Davie is still capable of doing it for Rangers week in, week out, then he can still do it for his country as well.

“He has experience, he talks to people, he is a highly respected pro, and everyone speaks highly of him.

“Davie passes that down to the young boys coming through at Rangers. He’s happy to speak to them and help to bring their game on.”