SEVERAL Scotland players had, according to their manager Gordon Strachan, an opportunity to force their way into contention for a start in the Russia 2018 qualifier against Slovenia on Sunday in this friendly international against Canada last night.

But after failing to overcome limited opponents who are a full 50 places below them in the Fifa world rankings at home, a fair few may well have played their way out of that crucial Group F match at Hampden.

It is, of course, important not to read too much into these sort of meaningless run-outs. This outing was only taken on to give Strachan the opportunity to see his charges, many of whom are seriously lacking in game time, in action ahead of an important competitive fixture. It was little more than a training exercise.

Still, the poor quality of the performance and the final result were concerning just five days before a game which the national team have to win in order to keep their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup finals. At no stage did the home team look like triumphing. There will need to be a dramatic improvement this weekend if another costly draw or even a humiliating defeat is to be avoided.

The smallest crowd at a Scotland game in over a century had been widely predicted. In the end, a hardy 9,150 souls braved the elements. Many of those will have regretted that they bothered. The return to form of fitness of Charlie Mulgrew at Blackburn Rovers in recent months has been welcomed by many Scotland supporters. The former Celtic man is a more reliable option at centre half than the others vying for a start in what has long been a problem position.

But he, along with Rangers left back Lee Wallace, was at fault for the visitors’ opening goal. The duo failed to deal with a Maxim Tissot cross and needlessly gifted Fraser Aird the ball. The Falkirk winger drove a powerful shot beyond the exposed Allan McGregor.

That strike may have come about as the result of a defensive mix-up. But Canada had several chances to score again in the first 45 minutes. Indeed, they posed as much of, if not more of, a threat than their toothless hosts.

Tom Cairney, who qualifies to play for this country due to his Scottish father, made his debut for his adopted homeland after being named in the starting line-up. Strachan has raved about the Fulham midfielder this season and it was easy to see why.

Operating just in front of the deep-lying Darren Fletcher in a 4-1-4-1 formation, Cairney looked undaunted at playing international football.

Cairney had a hand in the Scotland equaliser on 33 minutes. The ball broke to him on the edge of the Canada area and he coolly fed Naismith outside him. The forward did enough to help the ball over the line. It was his seventh goal for his country.

Jordan Rhodes had a chance to snatch a late winner when Leigh Griffiths teed him up with a chance in injury-time. But he snatched at his shot and squandered the opportunity. It would, though, have been an injustice if Scotland had ended up victorious. The boos from the crowd at the final whistle told their own story.