Scotland v Canada preview: Tom Cairney in contention for debut

Tom Cairney could make his debut as Scotland warm up for their crucial World Cup Qualifier against Lithuania with a friendly against Canada at Easter Road on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

Fulham midfielder Cairney has earned his first international call-up after an impressive season in the Championship.

"I have wanted it for a long time now and it is great to finally be here," he said. "I don't want to just be a flash in the pan. Once I am in, I want to stay in."

Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser and Leeds' Liam Cooper are also looking to make their debuts, but Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has said Stuart Armstrong will not be involved, having played for Celtic on Sunday.

Scotland are fifth in World Cup Qualifying Group F after losing 3-0 to England last time out, and Strachan is hoping a win against Canada will give the team a lift.

"The feedback I've got is that everybody thought the players against England did as well as they expected them to do," said Strachan. "What they didn't expect was three shots at goal and three going in."

"There is a disappointment among the fans, but that can all be changed by one result."

Canada are ranked 117th in the world and could give a debut to Falkirk defender Luca Gasparotto.

Another Falkirk player, Fraser Aird, is in the Canada squad along with Dundee's Marcus Haber, Cardiff's Junior Hoilett and Burnley's Scott Arfield.

Team news

Matt Phillips, James McArthur and Grant Hanley have pulled out of the Scotland squad while James Morrison is an injury doubt.

Gasparotto and La'Vere Corbin-Ong could make their international debuts for Canada.

Opta stats

Scotland have won all five of their previous internationals against Canada.

The two nations last met in an international in October 2002, as the Tartan Army ran out 3-1 wins at Easter Road.

Scotland have won four of their last five internationals contested at Easter Road, losing the other v Sweden in November 2004.

The Canucks have lost five of their last six international matches away from home (W1).

Scotland have lost their last two games without scoring - they last went three without winning in 2009 under George Burley.

However, Scotland have been beaten just once in their last seven home games, which was against Germany in September 2015 (W4 D2).

Charlie Nicholas' prediction

Well there might not seem much purpose in this for some, maybe even for Canada, but this is actually an incredibly important game for Scotland and a must-win in some senses.

This is a build up fixture for an enormous game with Slovenia, which really is a must win, and the team simply must get the fans back on side because otherwise it could turn really toxic.

Gordon Strachan should have walked away after the England defeat. The crowd don't believe him and, as mad they are with their songs, you have to find humour in this sort of situation because otherwise you'll go mad.

You don't need to play Scott Brown, let's get players on the ball who are going to be a bit more expressive and entertain the fans. I'd like to see Ryan Fraser involved as well, he looks a decent little prospect.

I'm backing them to win it because they have to, although I do think both teams to score, but hopefully there will be plenty of young fans there and they'll get some entertainment.

Charlie predicts: Fraser and Scotland to win - 7/2 with Sky Bet

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