Tartan Army backing

WHERE’S THE HAMPDEN ROAR? The atmosphere inside the Mount Florida stadium has always been one of Scotland’s major weapons but expectations are of a lower-thannormal crowd. With the feelgood factor missing and ticket prices of £40 in the North Stand, the Tartan Army regulars’ preferred spot, there is no danger of a sell-out. The Scotland players will have to start well to generate some vocal enthusiasm.

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BHOYS: Assistant manager Mark McGhee hinted there would be a major influx of Celtic players into the team after most were rested for the Canadian friendly. Scotland hope to benefit from the positivity and confidence among the Parkhead contingent, who are unbeaten in domestic football this season under Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers. Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths could all feature at some stage.

DEFENSIVE FRAILTY: Ten players have started in goal and the back four in Scotland’s four qualifiers and they have yet to keep a clean sheet. Losing six goals in the last two group games, and injury to Grant Hanley, mean more changes are inevitable. Charlie Mulgrew could become the 11th to feature at the back after returning to fitness and Strachan will hope the Blackburn Rovers player’s composure will rub off on his defensive colleagues.

STRIKING PROBLEMS: None of the three strikers who have started so far in the tournament – Steven Fletcher, Chris Martin and Leigh Griffiths – have regularly played for their clubs in recent months, while Steven Naismith normally plays in a deeper role. Jordan Rhodes earned a recall after keeping Fletcher out of the Sheffield Wednesday team but Strachan has never been a big fan of the goal-poacher. Martin looked less than sharp during the draw with Canada and there is no obvious solution against a team who have not conceded in their last three qualifiers.

Scotland hope to win the backing from the Tartan Army at Hampden.