GORDON STRACHAN will tomorrow announce a bumper-sized squad for his first game in charge of Scotland.

And Craig Levein's successor hopes the friendly against Estonia at Pittodrie a week tonight will be matched by an equally big crowd.

He said: "This game is one that excites me. Whether it excites anyone else or not, I don't know at the moment.

"But I am hoping we get a good crowd at Pittodrie next week, though the weather conditions could have a big say in that."

The former club boss is acutely aware non-competitive internationals at this time of the season are disliked by bosses of clubs trying to go for trophies or stave off relegation.

Strachan also recognises many of the Scotland players are carrying knocks and niggles.

But the new boss, along with assistants Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall, wants to meet up with as many players as possible so they can spell out their plans for turning around the fortunes of the national team.

Since being appointed, Strachan has been trawling over DVDs of various club and national sides, searching for the system and formation he will deploy when the competitive action resumes with the World Cup double-header against Wales and Serbia in March.

The 55-year-old will take in tonight's SPL game between Celtic and Kilmarnock before heading north to deliver his squad tomorrow morning.

Strachan is not expected to mark his first squad with sweeping changes, as he wants to give the current group the opportunity to show they have a part to play in the side he is going to take into the remaining World Cup ties.

He will host his first training session with his players on Monday, but as much importance is being placed on the getting-to-know you meetings which will take place over the three days at their team base in Aberdeen.

"We will select a big squad, and we want them to meet the new staff and hear what we want to do," said Strachan.

"I appreciate a number of players can have knocks at this stage of the season, but we want them to come along if they can to join in the meetings."

With their Champions League last 16 first-leg tie against Juventus just six days after the friendly against Estonia, Strachan is aware Neil Lennon will be worried about any of his players picking up an injury while on international duty.

But, even ahead of tonight's visit to the club where he was manager for four years until 2009, Strachan has assured Lennon he is conscious of his concerns.

He said: "Neil has been really helpful, and I will be as considerate as I would be to any manager in his position."

Scot Gemmill is the latest addition to the SFA's backroom staff, after being appointed as Assistant National Youth Teams Coach.

The man who won 26 caps will assist Billy Stark next week as the Under-21s play Greece in a friendly.