Gordon Strachan has declared Scotland and recalled striker Jordan Rhodes are ready to work together at long last as he prepares to field the nation 's 'best out-and-out goalscorer ' in a competitive fixture for the first time in 18 months . The national manager kept the Blackburn Rovers hitman in exile as he went about honing a system for the improving Scots , saying that Rhodes was not a fit for the international game he wished to create . But the striker followed up his surprise return to the squad with a substitute appearance in the midweek friendly win over Northern Ireland — and Strachan last confirmed on Saturday that the 25-year-old will be let loose on minnows Gibraltar at some stage of the Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday . Recalled Scotland striker Jordan Rhodes has been called his country's 'best out-and-out goalscorer ' Scotland manager Gordon Strachan had left Rhodes out of the side while he changed his formation . Rhodes made his return to the Scotland set-up with an appearance against Northern Ireland on Wednesday . Strachan is set to deviate from his 4-2-3-1 formation in a bid for goals and that could hand Rhodes a start in a two-man strike force against the Group D rookies . It would prove a hit with the Tartan Army , whose favourite Rhodes ' last appearance in a qualifying game was as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat by Belgium in September 2013 , after which Strachan said he was committed to a style that 'does n't suit ' the £8million forward . Now Rhodes and Strachan 's plans are equipped to blend , with the manager explaining : ' 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 . '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 was n't the criteria to get us kick-started back then with where we wanted to go . ' Rhodes missed 11 Scotland fixtures during his omission but is set to earn a 14th cap with a second Hampden appearance in five days . ' ( His selection ) ca n't be a one-off because we are playing two games , ' said Strachan . 'He 's already been playing in one and he 's going to play in another one . So that 's two . 'We have a few players who could find this the right type of game for them . I picked the squad with that in mind . It 's up to everyone to play well enough to be in the side . ' I ca n't say anyone will have a major role in the future . If I said 'he has a major role ' and someone comes into the position and is better , he 'll have a major role . It 's up to you to play well enough to be in there . ' Rhodes ( right ) , who has been in impressive club form , celebrates with Blackburn team-mate Craig Conway .
Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Gordon Strachan has been welcomed back into the Scotland set up following a 11-game absence . Manager Rhodes had kept Gordon Strachan out of the side as he tinkered with tactics and formations . Now though , Strachan is ready to make use of the forward against Gibraltar .