SCOTLAND BOSS GORDON Strachan says the anticipation surrounding the Euro 2016 clash with Ireland has left their upcoming game against England in the shade.
Martin O’Neill’s side travel to Glasgow next week hoping to extend their unbeaten start to qualification, but plenty of Tartan Army fans will have one eye on the friendly against England four days later.
The neighbours and old rivals last met in August 2013 in Wembley, a game which England won 3-2 thanks to Rickie Lambert’s winner.
Advertisement
Scotland currently trail Ireland by three points in Group D and Strachan is putting all other thoughts to one side until the competitive business is taken care of.
“Six or seven months ago, we were speaking about tickets for the England game,” he said at his squad announcement yesterday (The Independent).
It’s not happened that way in the last couple of months. It’s all been about Republic of Ireland.
He added: “[The England game] is not a friendly and it is something we look forward to.
“Fortunately, or unfortunately, the Republic game has overshadowed it in a way, which is great because it means there are things going on here.
“Sometimes if you just hang on to the Scotland v England game, that is all you have to look forward to. But it is not.”
Strachan: Buzz around Ireland game has 'overshadowed' England visit
SCOTLAND BOSS GORDON Strachan says the anticipation surrounding the Euro 2016 clash with Ireland has left their upcoming game against England in the shade.
Martin O’Neill’s side travel to Glasgow next week hoping to extend their unbeaten start to qualification, but plenty of Tartan Army fans will have one eye on the friendly against England four days later.
The neighbours and old rivals last met in August 2013 in Wembley, a game which England won 3-2 thanks to Rickie Lambert’s winner.
Scotland currently trail Ireland by three points in Group D and Strachan is putting all other thoughts to one side until the competitive business is taken care of.
“Six or seven months ago, we were speaking about tickets for the England game,” he said at his squad announcement yesterday (The Independent).
He added: “[The England game] is not a friendly and it is something we look forward to.
“Fortunately, or unfortunately, the Republic game has overshadowed it in a way, which is great because it means there are things going on here.
“Sometimes if you just hang on to the Scotland v England game, that is all you have to look forward to. But it is not.”
5 talking points from last night’s Champions League action
Rodgers proud of reshuffled Liverpool in Real loss
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Euro 2016 Qualifiers Gordon Strachan Ireland Republic Scotland Top Priority