International friendly on Sky: Scotland and England renew ancient rivalry at Celtic Park
Both sides have enjoyed positive starts to Euro 2016 qualifying campaigns...
Thursday 13 November 2014 15:41, UK
Scotland v England: 7pm, Nov 18, Sky Sports 1 & 5
Scotland and England do battle on Scottish soil for the first time since their Euro 2000 qualifier 15 years ago.
Two goals from Paul Scholes secured an England victory in 1999 but, as last August's friendly at Wembley illustrated, Scotland are a rejuvenated and buoyant side capable of giving Roy Hodgson's men a run for their money.
Gordon Strachan has steered the Scots to an impressive start as they bid for Euro 2016 qualification; with the narrow victory at home to Georgia and a fantastic draw in Poland leaving them level on points with world champions Germany in Group B.
Arguably, their greatest performance of the campaign came in Dortmund where only a Thomas Muller double denied the visitors a share of the spoils, after Ikechi Anya's solo effort had levelled proceedings.
In the year since Strachan took control of the national team, the change has been more than apparent. They have improved, mainly due to manager’s methods and philosophy being allowed to flourish, and the Scots are confident they can qualify for a first major international tournament since 1998 - after they claim a victory against the old enemy.
England will hope to extend the run of victories which has seen them claim a 100 per cent start to their qualification campaign. Hodgson's side will travel to Glasgow on the back of Slovenia's visit to Wembley and, barring a shock result, a fourth consecutive qualifying victory which would leave them sat nicely at the top of Group E.
Hodgson's men will look to build on their performance against Scotland in August 2013, where goals from Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck cancelled out James Morrison and Kenny Miller's individual efforts, which had twice given the Scots the lead - all before Rickie Lambert's debut header sent Wembley into raptures.
