GORDON STRACHAN is hoping to boost Scotland's chances of qualifying for Euro 2016 - by persuading Rangers interim boss Stuart McCall to rejoin his coaching staff.

McCall wasn't involved with the national squad for their double-header against Northern Ireland and Gibraltar at Hampden back in March.

He had just taken over from Kenny McDowall at Ibrox and wanted to focus all of his energies on helping the Gers win promotion to the top flight.

The nine-in-a-row great - whose side face Hibs tomorrow night in the Premiership play-off semi-final first leg at Ibrox - is determined to take the Glasgow club up and earn a full-time contract.

But the play-offs will be over when Strachan's side take on Qatar in a friendly and the Republic of Ireland in a Euro 2016 qualifier next month.

And the former Celtic gaffer is optimistic the former Bradford City and Motherwell manager will be in the dugout for those games.

He said: "We spoke about two months ago and agreed that when it came to the end of May he would have a look at his situation and we'd have a look at ours and then get together.

"We spoke about a week ago. Hopefully, everything will be positive and Stuart can join up with us again. If not, then we can deal with it."

McCall devised the move that led to Shaun Maloney's wonder goal for Scotland in the 1-0 win over Ireland at Celtic Park back in November.

Strachan said: "It never went exactly to plan if I remember rightly. It was a variation. But we gave it to him and continued down the same route."

Meanwhile, Strachan has hinted he could play fit-again Celtic midfielder Charlie Mulgrew when Scotland take on Ireland in Dublin.

Mulgrew only made his comeback from a hamstring tendon injury in the second half of Celtic's game against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park last Friday night.

But he was named in Strachan's 26-man squad for the games at Easter Road on June 5 and the Aviva Stadium on June 13 yesterday.

The 29-year-old was outstanding next to Scott Brown in central midfield in the 1-0 victory over Martin O'Neill's team last year and was named man of the match.

Strachan is confident the 16-times capped internationalist will be fit enough to take part in the crucial fixture.

Asked about Mulgrew's display against the Republic of Ireland, Strachan said: "I thought he was absolutely terrific. But I have got to say that I could pick a few games Charlie has been terrific in. So it's a huge bonus (having him back).

"The Qatar game will be good for people like Charlie, who haven't played for a long time."

Elsewhere, Scott Bain, the 23-year-old Dundee goalkeeper, has been called up for the first time by Strachan.

Allan McGregor, the former Rangers player who Strachan revealed has been playing with a shoulder injury at current club Hull City for a year, is rested.

He said: "I always like to bring in bright young players in every now and then so I can freshen up the squad. It lets them have a chance to look at it. Dundee have had a smashing season and he (Bain) is one of the boys who has done well.

"Jim Stewart (Rangers and Scotland goalkeeping coach) is the man who sees more of the goalkeepers than me and it comes down to his final decision to bring Scott in."