Neil McCann scored a great volley for Scotland

Neil McCann is confident Scotland will beat Lithuania at Hampden Park next month and seal a play-off place for Euro 2004.

The Southampton winger scored for Scotland in the 2-1 loss to Germany in Dortmund's Westfalen Stadium but was disappointed at the nature of the narrow defeat.

"We gave away two very soft goals," McCann told BBC Scotland.

"And to do that away from home against a powerful side like Germany makes it very difficult.

"It's pleasing to get on the scoresheet but the goal counts for nothing.

"Now we have to show the same heart and determination against Lithuania, and if we can we'll beat them."

There was a lot of diving going on and someone has got to clamp down on it Christian Dailly

If Scotland take three points from the Lithuania match then only an Iceland win in Germany can deny them second spot in Group 5.

Substitute Maurice Ross was sent off soon after McCann's wonderful volley had dragged Scotland back into the match, but McCann believes his former Rangers team-mate was wronged.

"I think both bookings were harsh," McCann said.

"Maurice was physical in both of his challenges but it looked to me like he won the ball on both occasions.

"Playing with ten men against such a strong team made our task harder but we battled well right to the end."

The Germans were guilty of a few theatrical responses to Scottish tackles and defender Christian Dailly was upset by some of the home side's antics.

Maurice Ross saw red for two tackles on Tobias Rau

Immediately after the game, Dailly could be heard using some colourful language to accuse the Germans of cheating.

"There was a lot of diving going on and someone has got to clamp down on it," Dailly told BBC Scotland.

"It's so frustrating playing against opponents like that.

"It's devastating to lose the game because I thought we could have got something from it."

Skipper Paul Lambert did not appear for the second half at the ground where he once played for Borussia Dortmund and his ankle injury will be a cause for concern for Celtic.

Match report: Germany 2-1 Scotland

"I knew it was a gamble," said Lambert, who missed Saturday's win over the Faroes Islands due to the problem.

"I could feel it getting tighter and tighter and there was no way I could go on."

Scotland boss Berti Vogts was proud of his team's display on the return to his homeland.

"We made life very difficult for Germany," he said.

"The boys believed in themselves and wanted a point from this. Now our goal is a victory over Lithuania for a play-off place.

"We can make it. Scottish football is moving in the right direction."