Gordon Strachan dismissed any sense of pessimism over the start of Scotland's 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, insisting he's excited about the national team's prospects.

Scotland face Malta in Ta'Qali as they bid to end their 20-year exile from a mjor tournament.

When it was suggested there was a lack of enthusiasm heading into the group opener, Strachan replied: "I get (optimism) from the staff and the players especially, but the fans have been absolutely brilliant.

"We have taken our allocation of 4,500 and 12,5000 stood in the pouring rain against Gibraltar congratulating the players on their efforts. When you add that together, it's really quite positive.

"I have been excited for a while, the last couple of weeks, and it's built up even more since we met up on Tuesday. Working with good players and good professionals helps that.

"You have to fit the system, you have to bring ability, you have to bring positivity to the group, playing or not playing, just like Lee Wallace did this week.

"He was injured when he came along but he was positive, he helped us. He didn't drain us in any way."

The national team boss outlined Malta's ability to frustrate some of Europe's top teams pointing to narrow defeats to Croatia, Italy and Austria in recent years.