Scotland v England Preview

This renewal of an old international football rivalry sees a settled team take on a potentially better collection of individuals in a clash that could be dramatic and very close to call.

It is lucky for England that they can look forward to a return leg at Wembley next Wednesday where they are rarely beaten but they have first to get through tomorrow afternoon's game at a passionate Hampden Park.

The Scots have come through training this week with few injury problems and captain Colin Hendry is set to face his old Blackburn team mate Alan Shearer in a driect confrontation that will set the tempo for the match. Hendry knows Shearer's game very well and has the strength to match him. Although returning from a long injury lay off Hendry has the positional sense to see off many potential England attacks and he is very strong in the air.

A narrow Scottish win seems possible tomorrow but a wide winning margin for either side in what could be a scrappy encounter tomorrow seems unlikely. The Scottish attack can boast the neat finishing ability of Billy Dodds but all round goal threats from other areas are lacking. Set pieces will be major factors in this game as heavy tackling from both sides will stifle most passing moves.

Hendry is again important here with his heading ability and Everton midfielder Don Hutchison may find space at the edge of the area. Dodds is a clever forward and with the English determined to play an experimental 3-5-2 system he will be able to find space in a creaky defence that sees Sol Campbell stationed in an unfamiliar right back role with Tony Adams and Martin Keown placed in the middle.

Behind the ageing Arsenal combination is a third Gunner but David Seaman's form this season has not been good and many thought Nigel Martyn deserved a chance in this game. In the Scotland goal Neil Sullivan has been in average form for Wimbledon but has a settled defence in front of him in their usual formation with the return of 33 year old Hendry a major boost to their confidence.

England have a team of individuals who may impress tomorrow but the older members of the squad are alkready nervous about the 3-5-2 system coach Keegan wnats to use. To be fair to the coach he has been forced into changes by the lack of left sided talent in his squad. Manchester United utility player Phil Neville will play as a left wing back and he has a good left foot without being a natural on the left side.

The England team lacks balance and has familiar weaknesses down the left. David Beckham will again be detailed to send in crosses for Alan Shearer who has been in good scoring form and represents one of the principle dangers to the Scots. A lack of passing ability in midfield for the English copuld see the game develope into a real scrap as Ince and Redknapp fail to hoold onto the ball to allow Beckham the time he needs to make his killer deliveries into the area. The Scots will be certain to work desperately hard to close down the chances for the United star to provide the passes for Shearer or Owen to get in on goal.

The organisation of the Scots and home advantage could see them win tomorrow but the two leg nature of the play-off has to favour England to make their qualities tell given two matches to prove their worth in whatever formation Keegan selects. If they do not then the Scots will deserve to go through as the more credible team at international level under Craig Brown. England rarely do well when they have to win what is in effect a knockout game and they have more to lose than Scotland tomorrow.

Ticket rows for the English will centre around where to go on holiday next June unless some of their talented stars decide to show their best in a national team shirt and lose their inhibitions.