Playing a more attractive brand of football will help bring fans back to Scotland games, according to Stuart Armstrong.
Hampden Park was less than half-full for Friday’s 4-0 defeat against Belgium, with 20,176 in Glasgow to watch the fourth defeat of Alex McLeish’s second reign in charge.
Critics have singled out ticket prices as one of the main reasons for supporters staying away with the top-end tickets going for £35 for the Belgium game. The most expensive seats for tonight’s Uefa Nations League opener against Albania are priced at £30.
Scotland struggled mightily against the world’s second-ranked side on Friday and the home support had little to cheer but Southampton midfielder Armstrong expects an improvement in style to help swell attendances.
He said: “Winning games and playing entertaining football attracts fans. That’s something we are trying to build. We want to develop attractive, attacking football. It has to go somewhere. There’s no point in passing when the ball doesn’t go anywhere.
“The more we build the more attractive football we’ll produce, and that’s what the fans want to see. The fans can expect a different Scotland side on Monday. It’s two completely different games. It was a disappointing night on Friday but ultimately it’s a friendly and it’s all about Albania.”
Armstrong was one of six English-based players in the Scotland line-up on Friday, having moved from Celtic to the south coast in the summer.
The former Dundee United player felt it was a decision he had to take to further his game with his midfield partner against Belgium, John McGinn also moving to England to join Aston Villa.
He added: “It takes time to settle in to a new club and it’s completely different to what I am used to.
“It’s a fresh challenge which I am looking forward to in the next couple of years.
“You could say we’re up against a Belgium every week down there. That’s part of the attraction of going to the Premier League.”
