Gordon Strachan aims to use the positive vibes of the Tartan Army to drive Scotland towards the World Cup finals.
The Scottish Football Association sold out its 4,500 allocation for the opening qualifier against Malta at the Ta'Qali Stadium on Sunday with a new campaign offering fans fresh hope that Scotland will end a 20-year wait to appear at a major tournament.
Strachan was persuaded to stay on after failure to reach the Euro 2016 campaign partly because of the response of travelling fans in Faro in their final group game against Gibraltar.
And that support is key to maintaining his enthusiasm ahead of a new campaign.
Strachan dismissed comments that there was a sense of pessimism among many in Scotland over his team's qualifying chances and said: "I get (optimism) from the staff and the players especially, but the fans have been absolutely brilliant.
"We have taken our allocation of 4,500 and 12,5000 stood in the pouring rain against Gibraltar congratulating the players on their efforts. When you add that together, it's really quite positive.
"I have been excited for a while, the last couple of weeks, and it's built up even more since we met up on Tuesday. Working with good players and good professionals helps that.
"You have to fit the system, you have to bring ability, you have to bring positivity to the group, playing or not playing, just like Lee Wallace did this week.
"He was injured when he came along but he was positive, he helped us. He didn't drain us in any way."
Scotland fans endured some envious moments during the summer watching all of their neighbours at the European Championship in France, and even the likes of Iceland getting to the later stages.
And Darren Fletcher is desperate to reward them for their support by sealing qualification for Russia from a group that also contains England, Slovakia, Slovenia and Lithuania.
"It's a difficult group but not impossible and we fancy our chances," said Fletcher, who will captain the team following Scott Brown's international retirement.
"There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. I know the fans will be. We've got nearly 5,000 coming here and they always get behind the players.
"Their support is really appreciated because they have had a lot of disappointment over the years and to keep turning up in the numbers they do and keep that support for the players on the pitch is great.
"I've been in the squad a long time and never heard boos. It makes it extra special and we urge them to stick with us because they'll be vitally important if we do want to qualify."
Strachan has added the likes of Oliver Burke, John McGinn, Barrie McKay and Kieran Tierney to his squad since finishing fourth behind Germany, Poland and Republic of Ireland, although the Celtic left-back misses out through injury in Malta.
"We also had four hard friendlies and it's allowed us to bring in new faces," he said. "It was a bit of a gamble taking on so many good sides but I'm sure it will benefit Scottish football in the long run."
Scotland have, on paper, a much less challenging task than their recent friendlies against Czech Republic, Denmark, France and Italy but Strachan rubbished the FIFA rankings system that has Malta at 176th in the world, pointing to recent one-goal defeats by Austria, Croatia and Italy, twice.
"I don't know where the rankings come from," he said. "That's a nonsense. I don't know what computer works it out but I would take it back and get it fixed.
"We have watched their games against top sides and the players realise it will be a right hard game.
"I actually think that most people that know anything about football, and I mean anything, they realise this will not be easy."
Meanwhile, the Scotland boss praised Fletcher's persistence after he re-assumed the captaincy which long-term illness deprived him of.
"His enthusiasm has never wavered whether he is captain, not captain or not playing," Strachan said.
"He is behind us all the way and it's nice to see him back fully charged. He is an invaluable member of the squad."
Source: PA
