GORDON STRACHAN has named his squad to face Malta in the opening match of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign. 

The Tartan Army travel to the Ta'Qali Stadium on Sunday 4 September in the opening game of Group F.

Strachan announced his squad for the fixture on Monday after the news last week that captain Scott Brown was retiring from international football.

There is no space for Ross McCormack of Aston Villa, Hull City's Shaun Maloney or Middlesbrough's Jordan Rhodes, while uncapped pair Jack Hamilton of Hearts and Kevin McDonald of Fulham have been selected.

Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic); Jack Hamilton (Hearts); David Marshall (Cardiff City)

Defenders: Gordon Greer (Blackburn Rovers); Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town); Grant Hanley (Newcastle United); Alan Hutton (Aston Villa); Russell Martin (Norwich City); Callum Paterson (Hearts); Andrew Robertson (Hull City); Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Watford); Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday); Oliver Burke (Nottingham Forest); Darren Fletcher (WBA); James Forrest (Celtic); James McArthur (Crystal Palace); Kevin McDonald (Fulham); John McGinn (Hibs); Barrie McKay (Rangers); James Morrison (WBA); Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United); Robert Snodgrass (Hull City)

Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday); Leigh Griffiths (Celtic); Chris Martin (Derby County); Steven Naismith (Norwich City)