Cash-strapped Gretna have urged the thousands of fans who followed them to Hampden Park two years ago to turn out again in the club's hour of need.

The Scottish Premier League (SPL) club, who went into administration earlier this month, play Celtic on Sunday at Livingston's Almondvale Stadium.

Around 12,000 Gretna fans flocked to Hampden Park when their team were beaten by Hearts in the 2006 Scottish Cup final, but only 501 supporters - an SPL record low attendance - watched their last home match, a 3-0 defeat by Dundee United at Fir Park.

"The match (against Celtic) is of huge importance to everyone connected with Gretna," a club spokesman said. "We need as many fans there as possible to support the team at this difficult time. There were over 12,000 at Hampden for the Scottish Cup final two years ago, and this is another momentous occasion with the very existence of the club at stake."

Gretna are unable to play matches at their Raydale Park stadium as it does not meet SPL requirements and had been using Motherwell's pitch at Fir Park. However, due to the poor playing surface there the club have had to find alternative venues.

Gretna were deducted 10 points for going into administration and are currently rock-bottom of the SPL on six points.

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