Whittaker rules out Celtic Park anti-climax

Scotland fans at Celtic Park for Scotland's game against Republic of Ireland. Picture: JP

That 1-0 win over the Irish at the same Celtic Park venue as tomorrow’s match ensured that the Scots remain in the pack chasing top spot in Euro 2016 qualifying Group D.

“A lot of the attention was on this,” Scotland full-back Whittaker told BBC Scotland.

“But now I’m sure the build-up to the England game will be just as big and it is a game we’re looking forward to.”

The Norwich City player is sure that the English will know they are in a game. “Recently, we’ve matched Germany, we’ve drawn in Poland and beaten Ireland – we are on the right track and we want another good result on Tuesday night,” he said.

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“Hopefully, we can again play well and get a positive result.”

Charlie Mulgrew agreed that the match will not be lacking in intensity. “I don’t think it will be relaxed,” the Celtic player said.

“By the time it comes around, we will be looking to go again.

“It will be a huge game even though it is named a friendly. There’s never a friendly between Scotland and England and we’re looking forward to that.”

Rangers striker Kenny Miller, who scored the last of his 18 international goals for Scotland at Wembley in the most recent meeting of the two old rivals last August, told Sky Sports  yesterday that the match against the Auld Enemy still had a special resonance for players.

“It was a fantastic occasion last year and this gives us the chance to put it right,” said the striker, who retired from international football with 69 caps after that game.

“It is a friendly obviously, but in terms of the Scotland-England thing, there is a lot more at stake than just a friendly tie.”

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