Pilibaitis enjoys Kaunas's just deserts

FBK Kaunas are the toast of Europe after shocking Rangers FC, even if matchwinner Linas Pilibaitis insists that "every player believed we could win". 

Improbable victory
The Lithuanian champions built on a goalless draw earned at Ibrox last week with a 2-1 win at the S. Darius & S. Girenas Stadium with Pilibaitis, who previously played in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian FC, heading the 86th-minute winning goal to earn his side a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against Aalborg BK or FK Modriča.

Pure conviction
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder made little impression during his loan spell in Edinburgh in 2007, but is unlikely to be forgotten in Glasgow as his strike sealed a massive European upset for Kaunas – even if he was in no way shocked by his side's achievements. "I did not have any doubts that we could beat Rangers," he said. "Every player believed we could win."

Couceiro proud
Success is a major coup for Kaunas's new Portuguese coach José Couceiro, who only took over at the helm in mid-July. "If we met Rangers again I would still say they were favourites," said the former FC Porto coach. "But we worked very hard in recent weeks and deserved this win. We did not attack all the time as it was too risky. We had to neutralise Rangers' most dangerous weapon – their counterattacks."

Tactical success
The triumph is already being hailed as a major fillip for the country's football. Lithuanian Football Federation president Liutauras Varanavicius called it a "historic victory", while the coach of Kaunas's A Lyga rivals FK Ekranas was impressed by the nous that undid Rangers. "Kaunas beat the Scottish team tactically," said Valdas Urbonas. "Rangers were too focused on defending after the break."

Scouting trip
While fans in Lithuania celebrated, Couceiro was looking ahead to the third qualifying round. AaB are 5-0 up against Modriča going into tonight's second leg, and a scouting trip to Denmark is already in the offing for the Portuguese coach. "I will fly to Denmark on Saturday and will watch Aalborg in the Danish league," said the 45-year-old.

Note of caution
AaB may not be as prestigious a name as Rangers, but the prize on offer for the victors in that third qualifying round tie are enormous, with a group stage place at stake. "Many people think that we will have an easier task in the third round, but I don't think so as Aalborg are in better form [than Rangers] at the moment," said Pilibaitis, sounding a note of caution.