Scotland 1 - England 3: Man United star Wayne Rooney fires Three Lions to victory

Posted Wednesday, November 19, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

ENGLAND gave Scotland some punishment last night to make it six of the best since Brazil.

Critics of the Three Lions take some pleasing.

And although this was not a performance to strike fears in the hearts of the likes of Germany, Argentina and Co, it was a big forward step.

In the hostile atmosphere of a super-charged Parkhead, Wayne Rooney, with two goals, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with one, ensured the 100 per cent post-World Cup run was maintained.

It’s now 15 scored and just two conceded in those six matches.

Scotland 1 - England 3: Man United star Wayne Rooney fires Three Lions to victory
JOY: Wayne Rooney finishes off the scoring

Skipper Rooney’s double took him to 46 goals, now clear of Jimmy Greaves in third place in the all-time list, and just two behind Gary Lineker and three off Sir Bobby Charlton.

Few would have expected such a convincing win against a fired-up Auld Enemy, who had won plaudits for their decent start to Euro 2016 qualifying under Gordon Strachan.

It was fitting that both Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rooney not only kept their heads in the intimidating atmosphere of Celtic Park but also used them to put the Three Lions 2-0 up.

And when Andy Robertson threatened to make a fight of it in the 83rd minute, England hit back two minutes later with a beautifully-worked goal which quelled any prospect of a home comeback.

Aside from Rooney’s goal-den contributions - he has now scored in all five England appearances this season - there was also another uplifting display from Jack Wilshere at the base of Hodgson’s midfield diamond.

Scotland 1 - England 3: Man United star Wayne Rooney fires Three Lions to victory
ROONEY: England's captain celebrates scoring

He started to look comfortable at last in the deep-lying midfield during Saturday’s 3-1 Euro 2016 qualifier win over Slovenia.

Last night he seemed even happier and more confident. Not quite Andrea Pirlo - whose game he has been studying - but getting there.

Prior to the opening strike in the 32nd minute, he had shown a willing enthusiasm to burst forward with the ball.

For the goal he did this that, picking out Luke Shaw with a poke. Shaw passed to Danny Welbeck, who spotted Wilshere had dropped off to find a bit of space.

After getting the ball back he set himself up for a superb diagonal pass into the box which dropped perfectly for Oxlade-Chamberlain to glance a delicate header which diverted the ball just inside the far post.

GOAL: Wayne Rooney heads home

Never mind ‘Fox In The Box’ this was ‘Ox In The Box’, although Scotland’s defending, particularly that of Grant Hanley, won’t have pleased Strachan one bit.

It was a similar story for England’s second in the 47th minute when their backline again failed to react.

This time it was after a James Milner free-kick was sent into the box and broke to Wilshere.

He mishit his shot, but it deflected off Andy Robertson and fell perfectly for an unmarked Rooney to nudge in with his head.

Scotland 1 - England 3: Man United star Wayne Rooney fires Three Lions to victory
OPENER: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain puts England in front in the first half

Robertson made amends in the 83rd minute, charging forward to exchange passes with Johnny Russell and prod in past ex-Celtic star Fraser Forster at the near post.

But just 90 seconds later substitutes Raheem Sterling, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana - aided by Milner - all played their part in a quickfire passing move down the right.

It culminated with Lallana getting to the byline to cut back for Rooney to sidefoot home from eight yards.

Hodgson now has a four-month international break to handle but at least he goes into it with the Three Lions starting to show some real bite.

One negative was the poor showing of West Ham’s Stewart Downing, a surprise pick at the head of the diamond, and you have to wonder why Everton’s exciting Ross Barkley was snubbed again.