Gordon Strachan hoping to see Tartan Army support ailing Scotland

It was reported that only around 5,000 tickets have been sold for the friendly against Canada

Gordon Strachan's side sit in fifth place in their World Cup qualifying group (Getty)

Gordon Strachan is hoping a late surge from the Tartan Army will boost the gate at Easter Road for the visit of Canada on Wednesday night.

It was reported that only around 5,000 tickets have been sold for the challenge match which will serve as a warm-up for the crunch 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden Park on Sunday.

The Scots lost 3-0 against England at Wembley in their last Group F fixture and sit in fifth place with four points from four games with a victory required at the national stadium to breathe life into ailing hopes of reaching Russia.

Strachan, who is considering naming his side 24 hours in advance, is looking for a walk-up crowd on the night to bolster the numbers against a side ranked 117 in the world.

He said: “We are hoping that. We are hoping that the side we announce - we might announce it that bit earlier, you never know - will see a side that play with high energy and in attack and do a lot of good things that people like to see.

“It is not easy at this time of the year for everybody, for fans and players. We would like them to come along and give us their support because we need it, we really need it.

“Everybody needs it. We have had it so far. There is a disappointment with the Scotland fans at the moment. We understand that.

“But what we have to do over the next couple of games, especially on Sunday, is make them feel better about themselves.

“The feedback I got was that all the players against England did as well as they expected them to do. What they didn't expect was three headers and three goals going in.

“But there is a chance on Sunday to change the whole thing and that is the great thing about football, you can change the whole atmosphere by one result.”