GORDON Strachan is set to make a decision on his future as Scotland manager next week – but he has given the strongest indication to date that he will stay on and orchestrate the bid to reach the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.

Speaking from Faro in Portugal, where he was preparing for the national team’s final Euro 2016 qualifier this evening, Strachan stressed once again that he was leaving his personal situation until after the game against Gibraltar.

His side’s chances of reaching the European Championship finals in France next summer ended on Thursday night when Poland netted an equaliser in the fourth minute of injury-time.

Coupled with the Republic of Ireland’s shock 1-0 win over world champions Dublin in their penultimate fixture, the 2-2 draw meant that Scotland are unable to even claim third place in Group D and a play-off spot.

However, many members of the Tartan Army have been pleased with the significant progress Strachan’s charges has made during the course of the campaign and would like to see him agree a new contract.

The 58-year-old, who succeeded Craig Levein back in January 2013, has been told he can remain in the position by both Alan McRae, the SFA president, and Stewart Regan, the governing body’s chief executive.

The former Coventry City, Southampton, Celtic and Middlesbrough manager, whose current deal expires at the end of this month, revealed that he will speak to those close to him personally and professionally in the coming days before arriving at a decision.

“I always said that I want to get things finished and it hasn’t finished yet,” said Strachan. “There are a right lot of people I have to speak to. There's a lot to be done. It's just making sure it's the right thing.

“You’ve got to remember that I’ve never had a plan in my life and it’s far better that way. I’ve never had a plan that I would be here, never had a plan that I would be Celtic manager, never had a plan that I would play for Man. United and then Leeds, never had a plan in my life. And it’s better that way.

“I’ll get this game out the way and I just need to go round two or three people. I think you do that in any walk of life. If you’re going to work in London do you say to your missus: ‘Well, I’m off to London, do you fancy it?’ Or do you sit down and talk about that. That is only natural.”

Strachan revealed the draw with Poland which ended Scotland’s hopes of progressing to the European Championship finals in France next summer had been the “worst experience in football” for many of his players.

However, the former Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds United player underlined his contentment in his role as an international manager in a clear indication that he will not be tempted to return to club football.

"I don't have to deal with the nonsense you get day to day,” he said. “I basically get a good bunch of lads who feel good about themselves and just want train and get on with it. I don't have to deal with the rest of it.

“What I’ve liked about watching this team is I’ve actually enjoyed watching them. As a football manager, there are ways you can make sure you don’t get beat. You try your best. But I actually enjoy watching a lot of the stuff they do. And I think a lot of them have got to be pleased with themselves about.”

Strachan revealed he had been heartened by the support he had received from members of the public at Scotland’s training base at Mar Hall outside Bishopton the day after the agonising draw with Poland – and from legendary former players Kenny Dalglish, Denis Law and Alex McLeish.

“Going round the golf course with Mark (Scotland assistant, McGhee) meeting real people who were so encouraging made a whole difference to the day,” he said.

“We met people at a wedding reception, all different people from different spheres of Scotland, different genders, it was so encouraging. That made a huge difference to Mark and myself and hopefully that kind of spread around the camp.

“My wife told me about Denis Law so I know about Denis Law. I saw Kenny fleetingly in the background and he’s not going to say anything else because I play golf with him at La Manga. But it’s nice that, to have people like that saying nice things.

“It is good to hear it from everybody else. When you are working and people say ‘listen, you’re progressing’ it’s nice. But it might just take a bit longer to get where you want to go.”

Strachan will be without Leigh Griffiths, who injured his calf at half-time during the Poland game, Jordan Rhodes, who has a medial ligament injury, and James McArthur, whose wife is due to give birth against Gibraltar.

He stressed he would give players who had not been heavily involved in the Euro 2016 campaign a run-out against the football minnows, who Scotland beat 6-1 at Hampden earlier this year, in the Estadio Algarve this evening

“There are boys who have been around the block with us,” he said. “There is nothing worse than getting on the plane and seeing those face of people who have not had the strip on or not been on the pitch. I am sure they wanted to play against Germany, Poland, but an international cap is an international cap.”

Scotland's planned training session at the Estadio Algarve last night was cancelled by UEFA due to torrential rain in order to protect the playing surface. The forecast for today is better and the match is expected to go ahead as scheduled.