Craig Levein has issued a rallying cry for more Scotland fans to travel for Sunday's Carling Nations Cup decider against the Republic of Ireland.

The Scottish Football Association made attempts to secure free match tickets and reduced-price travel deals yesterday, but neither the Football Association of Ireland nor airline and ferry companies were prepared to co-operate.

The FAI also rejected a suggestion that ticket prices be reduced, claiming it would devalue the event.

Manager Levein still hopes more supporters will make a late decision to come to Ireland though, as the Scotland team is in the highly unusual position of being on the brink of winning a trophy.

Having beaten Northern Ireland in February and Wales on Wednesday night, Scotland will lift the Carling Nations Cup if they defeat hosts, the Republic, who also have two wins so far, in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday evening. Scotland have not won an international competition since the 2006 Kirin Cup in Japan.

Around 2300 Scotland fans were in Dublin for the 3-1 victory over the Welsh and, because it is a weekend fixture, around 3500 are due to be there on Sunday, but privately Levein and the SFA hope more than twice as many – and even as many as 10,000 – could yet be swayed by the chance to see a tournament victory. At present, the FAI anticipate a total crowd of around 20,000 at the match.

"We are delighted to be in a position to win the trophy," said Levein. "We said from the outset that our ambition was to win the Carling Nations Cup and we are now one step away from achieving that aim.

"The supporters were a credit to themselves and the country for their efforts in creating an atmosphere during the midweek game despite the travel chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud. We need their support again on Sunday to give us the best chance possible against the hosts.

"Scotland on the verge of silverware is not an every-day occurrence, but we have that chance and I would ask all fans to do their bit to help the cause by whatever means possible.

"The players are grateful for that backing. We won the Kirin Cup in 2006 but that was on the other side of the world. Now we have another opportunity on or doorstep and, with the help of the fans, we can take that one final step."

Scotland fans can buy tickets at ticketmaster.co.uk or from outlets in Dublin.