Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says that a half-empty Hampden won’t dent the national side’s hopes of keeping their fading World Cup dream alive, insisting that he can still inspire the full country to get behind his team.

It is estimated that there will only be between 25,000 and 30,000 Tartan Army foot-soldiers inside the national stadium for the must-win clash with Slovenia tonight, with the crowd set to be the lowest for a qualifier at Hampden since Craig Brown’s last match in charge in 2001, 36 qualifiers ago, when 23,228 turned up to see the Scots narrowly triumph over Latvia.

That comes hot on the heels of a paltry 9150 fans turning out for Wednesday night’s dismal draw with Canada at Easter Road.

But Strachan is positive that the apathy of the football-going public won’t be an issue for his men as they walk out into the famous old stadium, and he has put the onus onto his players to motivate themselves for what is a critical encounter for their slim hopes of making it to Russia.

“Whether they’re fans in the stadium, players on the pitch, people watching at home, or people who can’t see the game, we’ll have five and a half million Scots wanting us to win tomorrow,” Strachan said. “That will inspire us.

“It doesn't change how we play, whether people are in the stadium or out of it. You have to generate the atmosphere between you.

“It's the same when you're away from home in a big European tie. You have to generate that winning spirit, that camaraderie between whoever’s there, whether it’s 50 supporters, no supporters, and it's just you as a team. You get on with it.

“We know everyone wants us to win. Whether you like this striker or that midfielder or that coach, they want Scotland to win, so that’s what you take out there with you.

“And as long as you appreciate that you know you're not on your own.”

If things aren’t going to plan tonight, Strachan is sure that the men he sends out will have the mental fortitude to deal with any stick that comes their way.

“I would like to think that nobody needs to be baby-sat out there because if you need that it’s not the place to be,” he said. “If you’re weak minded you’ll be found out. That’s not going to happen. There won’t be anybody with a weak mind.”