Daily Record

Strachan is out to cheer up the fans

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From Back Page the Hampden draw with Lithuania.

Strachan’s own future is also in the balance but the manager is looking for a shot of confidence in tonight’s friendly with Canada before a morale-boosting win against Slovenia in Glasgow on Sunday to fire the country back into the World Cup frame.

He said: “There is a disappoint­ment with the Scotland fans at the moment. But what we have to do in the next couple of games – and especially on Sunday – is to make them feel better about themselves.

“It can all change with one result.

“Whatever has happened in the last four or five months, there is a chance to change the whole thing this weekend.”

Strachan insisted tonight’s Canada bounce game will be a welcome run out for some of his rusty stars – but he won’t lose sight of the main event at Hampden on Sunday night.

New recruits Ryan Fraser and Tom Cairney are set for debuts at Easter Road and late Leeds call-up Liam Cooper is also in line for a first cap.

The boss is set to give Celtic players Craig Gordon, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and James Forrest the night off after performing in the league at Dundee on Sunday.

But he revealed Hoops hitman Leigh Griffiths – who has been on the bench for his club in recent weeks – will be given the chance to get some game time ahead of the Sunday showdown.

Strachan said: “Broony has played about 40 games, Stuart has played a lot and Kieran has played every game he could possibly play in apart from the injury.

“They’re not part of this build-up. But Griffiths has not had as many games so he could be the one exception.”

 ??  ?? NIGHT OFF Armstrong
NIGHT OFF Armstrong

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