England Supporters Club

Hodgson relishing 'exciting' clash with Scotland

Posted by Team England at 11:14 on Tuesday 18 November 2014

Roy Hodgson is relishing the chance to take on Scotland on Tuesday night and says it is the type of game they need as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Hodgson has reported no new injuries from the 3-1 win over Slovenia at Wembley but will not reveal his starting line-up until just before kick-off.

The England manager knows this will be more than just a normal friendly with the rivalry between the two teams and says it is the type of experience that can only benefit his players as they look to reach the European Championship Finals in France in 2016.

Hodgson said: "It is a very exciting game and a big game. We will be given a very tough test and Scotland will be keen to win the game.

"The one memory in my mind is the game we played last year when Gordon [Strachan] had just taken over. It was an incredible atmosphere. I can go back a lot further but I will compare the match to the one we played last year.

"For me that is the type of friendly you want because we have the qualifying games, but we also want to find fixtures that will test us and give us the type of matches that we want to come.

"Scotland played very well against Ireland and it was a game that both teams understood the importance of. Second place will be very important and both teams will be contenders for it. I would have to say over the 90 minutes Scotland deserved to win it."

He continued: "Celtic Park is a fantastic stadium to play football in and the fans give Celtic and Scotland incredible support and that is something we have to deal with.

"We can learn from it and for some of our younger players they won't have experienced it in their careers.

"It will be hard fought and competitive and each challenge will be well competed for. I don't think it will be a physical game because Scotland don't play in that way."