Austria fans turn against Scotland friendly as Steve Clarke faces near empty stadium prospect in Vienna

Steve Clarke's men will fly to Austria on Monday insisting the friendly in Vienna means the World to them - even if the game is played in front of one of their gutted hosts’ lowest-ever crowds.

Devastated Austrian fans have turned their back on the fixture after their side crashed out of the World Cup play-offs in Cardiff on Thursday and only 2000 have bought tickets for the clash with the Scots in the 50,000 capacity Ernst Happel Stadium.

The Tartan Army have been allocated 2700 briefs and may even outnumber the home support but irrespective of the size of the crowd and the mindset of the opposition, Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean spoke for Clarke’s squad as he insisted the clash is vital to our own hopes of making Qatar.

The Scots go into the game on a seven game unbeaten streak - six of them wins - and the Norwich City star is adamant that a win is crucial to maintain momentum ahead of the delayed World Cup play-off semi final with Ukraine, which is pencilled in for June.

McLean said: “The lads are producing. We are on a good run now and we have to continue with it.

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“I’d imagine Austria will want to win in front of their own fans after being so disappointed against Wales.

"I guess it will be