MX23RW : Thursday, May 2 06:21:32| >> :120:39335:39335:

Gordon Strachan will resist urge to use Celtic regulars in Canada friendly

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is to leave out the likes of Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Craig Gordon for the friendly meeting with Canada.

Gordon Strachan has said that he does not intend to use Celtic's contingent of regulars in Scotland's friendly with Canada on Wednesday evening.

The Tartan Army play twice during the international break, following up their midweek meeting at Easter Road with a World Cup 2018 qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden Park four days later.

Strachan will rest some of his key players for the visit of Canada in the hope that they will be fit and firing for a crucial qualifier next weekend, with Scotland currently fifth in the Group F standings after four games.

"They have played a lot of games. Broony (Scott Brown) is up to 40 games, Stuart Armstrong has played a lot of games, Kieran Tierney has played every game he could possibly have played in apart from the injury he got, and Craig Gordon has played a lot," he told reporters. "I spoke to a lot of people at Celtic and they are quite happy with that.

"They played on Sunday, they have had a lot of games and they are not part of this build-up. Leigh Griffiths has not had as many games. He could be the exception and probably will see minutes on Wednesday. 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."

Scotland trail Group F leaders England by six points and are four adrift of weekend opponents Slovenia in second spot.

ID:294247: cacheID:294247:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3287:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan on the touchline during his side's World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley on November 11, 2016
Read Next:
Strachan names three uncapped players in squad
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!