WEDNESDAY night's farce was an evening to forget for all who witnessed it.

Only around 9000 souls showed the dedication to turn up to the most pointless of occasions at Easter Road to watch Scotland take on Canada in a friendly. People have been Knighted for less.

In return, the Tartan Army were given little to get excited about in a grim 1-1 draw. Even Steven Naismith's first-half equaliser produced only a tame yelp from the small bank of drookit weans huddled together for warmth in the empty stands.

Yet in the deluge all hope for this Sunday's match with Slovenia was not quite washed away. There were still some signs that from the depths of gloominess there is perhaps the odd beacon of light to shine on our failing World Cup qualifying campaign.

That glow of warmth came after 62 bone-chilling minutes as a familiar face around these parts stood ready for action on the sidelines. His name is Leigh Griffiths.

A fans' favourite during his time with his boyhood heroes Hibs, Griffiths received a rapturous applause saved for only him and Hibee midfielder John McGinn.

The appreciation for the Celtic forward goes way beyond sentiment. It is founded in the belief that the forgotten man of Parkhead is without doubt the best striker at Gordon Strachan's disposal. His 40 goals last season testify to that.

The fact he has not started a game for his club since December 28, thus remaining in the great shadow of Moussa Dembele, has cast grave doubts over his long-term future at Parkhead as he continues to be sideline.

Yet, while he continues to struggle with trouble in Paradise, it appears the 26-year-old is seeking to grab his international opportunity and use it to reinvigorate his career.

“No there's no sign of him being quieter, quite the opposite," said Mark McGhee, the Scotland No.2

“He has not been getting a game at his club but he comes here and feels he has a chance of playing.

“Therefore in training he has shown his hunger and desire.

“He is a great finisher and has shown every bit of that desire you would want to see that he wants to play."

Being out of favour at Celtic will not necessarily be a disadvantage to the player who has yet to open international account. On that front, none of his strike rivals are guaranteed picks for their respective clubs.

It makes it all the more harder for Strachan to choose from. Naismith got the leveller on Wednesday but has only found the net six times for Norwich City this term and only twice since November. Chris Martin, his strike partner against Canada has managed only four strikes in a Fulham jersey since the turn of the year.

“It is the same with Chris Martin who has not been getting games recently either and suffering from it," said McGhee.

“Steven Fletcher has not been getting games. We have a problem in that our strikers are not playing regularly.

“As a striker myself I knew I would be at my best if I was playing every week.

“To be in and out of the team I don’t think strikers do that very well so that is a bit of a problem for us.

“Gordon obviously has to consider that."

Given the great need for a win - and therefore at least one goal - going with one striker against Slovenia, particularly one who hasn't seen much of a game or a scoresheet, is a bit of a drawback.

Yet McGhee has played down suggestions Scotland will go for goals by sticking two players up front on Sunday night, and said: “We have to consider the opposition as well and whether we can play with two up front.

“That is probably a difficult thing to do.

“Both of them [Griffiths and Jordan Rhodes] were on against Canada and Jordon did quite well.

“It gives Gordon food for thought but it is unlikely we will start with a 4-4-2 with two boys up front.

“There was always going to be opportunities for people to perform well and play themselves into it. Clearly that didn’t particularly happen.

“The game against Slovenia takes care of itself and there will be no consequence because of the Canada match.

“As there is history of players who have done well for us I think Gordon has to keep an open mind on them all.

“He has to give them all consideration even those who maybe didn’t play as well as they can against Canada."

Despite Scotland's precarious position in Group F which sees them already holding out for a win after four games, McGhee believes a win, no matter how it is achieved, could change the entire complexion of the campaign.

“Yes, I think so. It would still leave us with a lot to do but it will put us straight back in the mix," he said.

“The only result we can live with is a win and then we can all take stock.

“We will all feel a little bit differently on Monday morning if we have won.

“It is high pressure but these boys play with a level that they can handle that pressure.

“They won’t be phased by the consequences of any result. They will live with that and will be able to play with that."