Scotland will prepare for their next FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifier by playing Canada in an International Challenge Match on Wednesday, 22 March.

Gordon Strachan’s squad will aim for a morale-boosting victory against The Canucks at Hibernian’s Easter Road in the national team’s first fixture of 2017.

The match, which will kick off at 7.45pm, will take place four days before Scotland’s vital European Qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden.

Gordon Strachan, Scotland national coach: “This match will give us a chance to see up-close some of the players who have been in such excellent form over the winter months. There are a number of players who may not have been involved in the recent games but who have been pushing hard for a place, so this will allow them to stake their claim.

“It’s important we have a match before the second half of the qualification programme begins. We know that a win against Slovenia at Hampden will take us to just one point behind them in second place and put us right back in contention, so the players involved in the Canada game can take this opportunity to show they should be involved.”

Scotland have faced Canada on five previous occasions, winning each time.

They last played each other in 2002, again at Easter Road, with Stevie Crawford and Steven Thompson on target for Scotland in a 3-1 victory. 

Scotland had the current coaching set-up to thank for their victory when the two nations met in 1983, with Gordon and his assistant coach, Mark McGhee, on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win.

Scotland Supporters Club members will benefit from an exclusive discounted price of £15 for adults and £5 for children. Public sale tickets will be priced at £22 for adults and just £10 for children.

Tickets will go on sale to Scotland Supporters Club members on Thursday, 2 February – the same day as tickets for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Slovenia – with the public sale to follow.