IKECHI ANYA believes a Hampden homecoming will rouse Scotland from their slumber after a stale showing at Easter Road.

In front of just over 9000 fans Gordon Strachan’s men stuttered to a 1-1 draw with lowly Canada in what was an underwhelming night for the Tartan Army.

On Sunday Strachan will lead his men into a do-or-die World Cup qualifier with Slovenia, a game the Scots simply must win to keep alive any faint hope of reaching Russia next year.

And Anya has urged those who stayed away for this forgettable Easter Road encounter to stand up and be counted along with their team at the weekend.

He said: “Hampden will make a big difference.

“Every time we play there we always get a lot of people in and hopefully we can put on a good performance that’s going to cheer them up and enlighten them as much as they enlighten us.

“We appreciate their backing. Players always appreciate the fans’ support. That’s what makes the game so passionate.

“So the more the merrier. If we can get them in and intimidate Slovenia a bit more, it will be a good night on Sunday.

“We know the task at hand.”

Anya dismissed claims it was disappointing to play in front of a stadium less than half full, and added: “It’s always difficult with midweek games. People have jobs and other things to do.

“But it’s not disappointing at all. When you are representing your country it doesn’t matter if it’s one fan or thousands. It’s an honour.”

Turning to Sunday’s match, Anya still remains hopeful a win over second-placed Slovenia can act as a catalyst for a prosperous second half to the campaign.

The Derby man said: “definitely. We know the task in hand. We are the ones that put ourselves in this position.

“But a big win sends us into another big win against England in June and if we get something from that we are looking good.”

Meanwhile, Scotland captain Darren Fletcher was pragmatic when assessing the failure to beat a team ranked 117th in the world.

The West Brom midfielder insisted he and his team-mates can improve their finishing after several chances were spurned throughout the game.

He said: “It was 90 minutes for players who probably needed it before Sunday. The game was all about Sunday. Yes, we wanted to win the game but when you go a goal down and play in those conditions then it’s difficult.

“But we kept going, kept working, and people got the minutes. You want to win these games and we’re disappointed but we’ll build on it and it’s important we win on Sunday so we’ll go again.

“We can improve on finishing our chances. You want to pass the ball and work it but it’s difficult in those conditions - it was a mud bath out there - and you can’t play the football you want to.

“I’m sure the pitch at Hampden will be better and we can keep working the ball side to side and be a little bit more patient. The game is about taking chances. They got one and scored it and that’s how you end up drawing the match.”