Gordon Strachan hopes that some game-time against Canada can put his shot-shy strikers back into the swing of things.

The Scotland manager has compared the art of goalscoring to putting in golf, with a forward’s rhythm being affected directly by a lack of competitive action.

That’s why he is happy to have the game against Canada tomorrow night to give some of his attackers, as well as some other members of his squad, some valuable match practice.

“I did think I would need to do it,” Strachan said. “Because look at the strikers. Of the five we've picked, only one has started over the last couple of weekends.

“That's a bit disappointing for them - and for us. Because that striking business, it's like putting at golf.

“You can get to a certain stage with your game but playing regularly is what makes you able to make that putt.

“It's the same with the finishing for strikers. You need that clinical edge.”

The exciting young talents of Tom Cairney and Ryan Fraser are also set to be unleashed on the Canadians at Easter Road.

“They will get game time, certainly,” said Strachan. “Ryan has had a lot of games, fortunately, and so has Tom. But there are other players who haven't played so much for their clubs.

“I'm trying to get a shape that can affect Canada, but will also give players like Steven Naismith, Chris Martin, Ikechi Anya, Steven Fletcher - guys who have not had a lot of game time - some match action. I want to know how fit they are.

“We can all take their heart rates, body fat and all the rest of it. But you need to see people in games.

“I think we've had people like Alan Hutton, who didn't play much for his club for a spell, then came in and did very well for us every time.

“But we've also had other guys who have done the same as Alan, but come in and really found it a struggle. It's not every player who can step in without much club football and perform for the national team.”

Strachan has a fair idea over who will fill the starting jerseys for Sunday’s crunch match with Slovenia at Hampden, but he revealed that there is still time for players to impress him to stake a claim to be involved.

“Definitely I have in mind what the shape is going to be,” he said. “I know how we're going to play.

“But, no, the team has not been picked. The core of it might be picked and I know how we're going to play - but there are still places to be filled.”