The 26-year-old was snared by police after he turned up at pal Stephen Dunn’s flat in Maryhill during a raid.

Ex-midfielder Strachan was then searched and a 28 gram bag of heroin was found in his boxers.

Strachan previously pled guilty to being in possession of the class A drug last year — just weeks after he had a tag removed — and today (Friday) appeared in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff court to hear his fate.

Bill McCluskey, defending Strachan, told the court he has a child from a previous relationship he enjoys spending time with and said “his ambition is to provide for that child, he hopes that it will be in a position to do that”.

Mr McCluskey added that Strachan — who was let go by his most recent club Clydebank following his conviction — is on benefits but said: “A senior club is interested in him”.

He also said Strachan knew that if he was sent to a jail for this offence that he had “nobody to blame but himself.” Sheriff Andrew Normand sentencing, said: “With some reluctance I am prepared to give you the opportunity to retain your liberty and demonstrate to the court you can avoid further offending and make a positive contribution to society.” Strachan, who played two games for Dumbarton before being loaned to Albion Rovers, was handed a community payback order with the condition he must be supervised for six months and carry out 240 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was previously jailed for 12 months in December 2012 after admitting carrying knives on him but was released early in February 2013 with a tag and on a curfew.

The expiry date was a month later in March, only weeks before the current offence took place.