Gordon Strachan has hailed Jordan Rhodes as Scotland's "best out-and-out goalscorer" ahead of the striker's return to the international stage.

The 25-year-old last featured for his country in a competitive fixture some 18 months ago, but he has been given a lifeline by his manager to shine once more.

Strachan previously commented that Scotland's style of play does not suit Rhodes, although, since his last appearance against Belgium in September 2013, the Tartan Army have tinkered around with their starting formation.

"I think we've evolved since he was last in the squad and, although he has not evolved with us, I think he has the intelligence to get better all the time because he can take things in," the former Celtic boss is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"But I think he would find it easier playing with us now than it was two years ago. I'd say we make it easier for a striker to play with us now.

"He's probably the best out-and-out goalscorer we've got. But that wasn't the criteria to get us kick-started back then with where we wanted to go."

Scotland face minnows Gibraltar in a Group D qualifier this evening, looking to maintain their push for a place at Euro 2016.