Scott Brown: '˜I would love' England to beat Slovakia for us

Scotland skipper Scott Brown 'would love' England to give the Scots a helping World Cup hand by beating Slovakia.

Scotland's Scott Brown shares a laugh with team-mate Leigh Griffiths. Picture: SNS/Rob Casey

Gordon Strachan’s side were given fresh hope of reaching Russia next summer with a convincing 3-0 win in Lithuania on Friday night.

With three Group F fixtures remaining, the third-placed Scots are six points behind leaders England and four behind Slovakia, with both those sides playing at Wembley on Monday night when Malta visit Hampden Park.

A win for the Auld Enemy against Slovakia, assuming Scotland take care of the group’s bottom side, would leave Strachan’s side relishing the visit of the Slovaks in October before the Scots travel to Slovenia for the final fixture.

Asked if he expected England to win against Slovakia, the Celtic midfielder said: “I would love them to.

“If it helps us then I would definitely take that, yes.

“England are a great team, here’s hoping they can do us a favour.”

Strachan noted the form of Slovakia - who beat Scotland 3-0 last October - and the pressure the Three Lions are always under either home or away

He said: “Slovakia are a good side. They have won five on the trot or something like that.

“They have good players but England being England, it is like Man Utd or Celtic, you have to win every game.

“Both teams will be going to win it.”