Scotland vs England preview: Roy Hodgson says his side cannot afford to let Celtic Park crowd affect them

Posted Tuesday, November 18, 2014 by skysports.com

Scotland vs England preview: Roy Hodgson says his side cannot afford to let Celtic Park crowd affect them
Roy Hodgson during his press conference at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Monday

Roy Hodgson has warned his England players they will have to block out the partisan home crowd at Celtic Park if they are to defeat Scotland on Tuesday night.

England recorded their fifth straight win on Saturday when they came from behind to defeat Slovenia 3-1 at Wembley.

It was also a fourth triumph in a perfect 2016 European qualifying campaign to date and, on the eve of the much-anticipated friendly in Glasgow, the England manager confirmed he had a fully-fit squad to choose from but refused to drop any hints on his starting team.

Hodgson said: "Like any team, if you play a couple of days ago there's always going to be bumps and bruises. (But) everyone's come through so that's good news.

"Our approach to the game is a very obvious one. It's a very exciting game, it's a big game. We know we'll be given a very tough test up here. We know that Scotland will be very keen to win the game. I'm certainly hoping and believing we'll have the same degree of hope and belief."

Hodgson is believed to be considering handing West Brom forward Saido Berahino his debut while Everton playmaker Ross Barkley could also come into the starting line-up.

He added: "I haven't spoken to the team yet. The team themselves don't know. We're going to have a team meeting at seven o'clock. I'm afraid I won't be revealing anything in that respect in terms of the team and personnel."

On the history of past clashes, Hodgson said: "The (match) uppermost in my mind was the one we played (against Scotland) last year at Wembley. I think Gordon had just taken over as manager. It was a very good game, very close, hard-fought (and an) incredible atmosphere because a lot of Scottish fans had travelled down.

"I prefer to live in the present and compare the game tomorrow to the one last year, albeit (this time) we're the away team and Scotland are the home team. It will be home advantage because Celtic Park is a fantastic stadium to play football in.

"The fans here, they'll certainly give Celtic and Scotland incredible support and that's something we'll have to deal with in terms of not letting it affect us too badly mentally."

England goalkeeper Ben Foster, who is challenging former Celtic No 1 Fraser Forster - now of Southampton - for a place in goal with Joe Hart rested, made the headlines with his take on Scotland's 1-0 European Qualifier defeat of the Republic of Ireland at Celtic Park on Friday

Foster said: "From watching the game the other night, they were kicking lumps out of each other weren't they?"

However, Hodgson was not in agreement with the West Bromwich Albion player.

When asked what sort of game he expected, he said: "Not especially physical. It will be hard-fought and competitive. Each challenge will be well competed for, but I don't expect it to be a overly physical game. Scotland aren't that type of team they set their stall out to play football, just like we do."

England captain Wayne Rooney was also looking forward to the Parkhead encounter after equalling Jimmy Greaves' tally of 44 international goals against the Slovenians. He now sits joint-third in the all-time England scoring chart.

The Manchester United skipper said: "I think it will be a great test. I have obviously played here before in big nights and Champions League and you can see the atmosphere is really loud and intense.

"I have actually spoken to a few of the younger players just to make sure they are ready for the start of the game because if you are not ready it can take you by surprise. But I am sure we will be ready, be ready for the atmosphere, and it will be a big test for us."