Gordon Strachan has thanked Scotland's fans for helping drag the team back into a strong position and believes they can now help determine their World Cup fate.

The Dark Blues are unbeaten in 2017, having won three and drawn one of their 2018 qualifying fixtures, along with a 1-1 draw with Canada in a friendly.

Scotland have clawed a positive position in Group F with qualification in their own hands ahead of the final two games.

A packed Hampden is expected for the final home game of the campaign against Slovakia on Thursday and Strachan says the contribution from the stands will have a huge bearing on the final result.

"We thank them for sticking with us," he said. "There were times against Slovenia when we needed their help and they gave us their help.

"There were times against England when we needed their help to get back into it and between the players and the fans we've dragged ourselves back into this position where we can determine our own future.

"The players can determine their own future but the fans can do that as well. The more help they give us, the more we give back and vice versa. It's a challenge the fans and the players have to take on and enjoy."

The final touches were put to Scotland's preparations at training on Wednesday but the national boss says he cannot forecast what will unfold on the pitch.

"The players will determine how the game goes," he said. "It's not like I have a lever where I can slow them down or make them quicker.

"The game is played by instinct so you just see how it goes. We want to do more attacking but at times we will have to defend.

"There's no way you can plan that. I've said many a time when I'm in my room the night before I try to envisage how the game is going to go but it never works out that way."

Strachan is aware of the threat Slovakia, who currently sit second in the group and a point ahead of Scotland, will pose on Thursday but says they hold a slot of similarities with his own side.

"Like ourselves they had a slow start to the campaign but picked up momentum as they went along," he continued.

"So it's two teams who have picked up momentum at a vital stage of the group. Good players, experienced players, a group of players who have been together for a long time. It's like a club side.

"They haven't got the greatest pool of players ever but when they put 18 together they have a right good side."