England vs. Scotland: 6 Things We Learned

England have beaten Scotland 3-2 in the most pulsating friendly in a long time. International football's oldest enemies went into battle with nothing but pride at stake and produced a far more memorable game than many full internationals.

Gordon Strachan's men came to Wembley and can feel more than unlucky to leave with nothing after putting in a stirring performance that saw them twice take the lead. England, to Roy Hodgson's credit, never backed down and came back to draw level twice.

As the game wore on, Rickie Lambert was introduced for a tiring Wayne Rooney. The Southampton striker, making his England debut, then scored a superb header with his first touch of the game to win the match for England.

Here, Bleacher Report offers six things we learned from England vs. Scotland.

Wayne Rooney Isn't Injured

Wayne Rooney has missed all of Manchester United's preseason games through injury. For conspiracy fans, this occurred while Chelsea were registering their interest in the England forward.

When Rooney was selected by Roy Hodgson, he immediately thanked the England manager on his Facebook page: "Big thanks to Roy Hodgson for selecting me and showing his faith and support, appreciate it."

Whether this was a dig at Manchester United or not, we do not know. What we do know is that the Manchester United No. 10 worked hard and while he did seem a little off the pace, he was no worse than any other United players on show.

This was his chance to show the world—and possibly Sir Alex Ferguson—that he still has something to offer at the highest level. He did not disappoint.

Rickie Lambert: Supersub on His Way to Brazil?

To say that the last year has been meteoric for Rickie Lambert would be an understatement.

The 31-year-old Southampton striker enjoyed a phenomenal first season in the Premier League. He scored 15 goals in 38 games and was easily one of the players of the season.

He was therefore deservedly picked by Hodgson for this friendly against Scotland.

Two minutes and 45 seconds into his debut, after replacing Rooney, he scored a superb headed goal to put the Three Lions ahead 3-2. It was his first touch of the ball.

Lambert is an intelligent player who combined strength, guile and footballing nous to become one of the biggest threats in the Premier League last season. He is deceptively strong, deceptively clever and possesses a superb first touch. He is built for international football.

If he follows on last season's brilliant contribution, he will definitely go to Brazil. It's a far cry from packing beetroots.

Scotland Have Improved Under Gordon Strachan

Scotland have improved under Gordon Strachan in just five games.

Under his predecessor, Craig Levein, the Scots were going nowhere fast. They now seem to have a coherent game plan, formation and style of play. 

There is no doubting that Scotland are not producing the same standard of player they once did by the truckload in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. In the last decade, they have slipped down the FIFA rankings and are now regarded as something of a soft touch in international football.

Under Strachan, however, there is a huge air of optimism. The ex-Celtic boss has given his team clear instructions and—lo and behold—he seems to be picking his best players in their best positions.

His five games in charge may read as won -2 and lost -3 but there is no doubting that the Scots are on the up.

June's victory over Croatia and this narrow defeat by England signify that Scotland will be a far better team come qualification for the next European Championship.

David Moyes Wins His Second Battle in a Week

David Moyes led Manchester United to a routine Community Shield win over Wigan Athletic at the weekend. His performance for ITV tonight, however, was all the more impressive.

Moyes was working for ITV as an analyst for the England-Scotland friendly. It was a more-than-unusual move for a presiding Manchester United manager.

Sitting beside Lee Dixon and Roy Keane, Moyes sidestepped any mischievous questions with aplomb. He then went one step further and took control of the situation by offering half-time analysis of Wayne Rooney's performance.

Everyone wanted to see how Moyes would react regarding his striker. He did not disappoint. Like any great politician, he offered answers to keep the masses happy and offered little insight into the relationship between player and manager.

Sir Alex Ferguson part deux, you might say.

 

Pointless Friendlies Aren't All That Pointless

Before this match, the validity of international friendlies was questioned once again.

Tony Pulis, the ex-Stoke City manager, even went as far as to suggest that there should only be two friendlies in the international calendar in an interview with BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"

The international set-up is still revered but do it in a different way. It has to be looked at and it has to be looked at in a way both sides are gaining out of it.

There's games that I think have to be played for financial reasons as much as any to give the Welsh FA money to continue the progress they hope to make.

I'd say two friendly internationals a year against big opposition that fills the stadium and gives everybody a chance to see the players play.

"

Nobody who watched the England-Scotland game could question the commitment levels of the players, the managers or the supporters.

This game was a full-blooded affair that was far more entertaining than many an international qualifier. Perhaps Pulis is on to something but more on the next slide…

Time to Bring the Home Nations Cup Back?

Our younger readers may have never heard of the British Home Championship.

The oldest international tournament in the world began all the way back in 1884 and was contested between the home nations of the British Isles—England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

It ran for 100 years before it was eventually abolished on its centenary in 1984.

There are many reasons why the competition was abandoned. By the early 1980s World Cup and European Championship qualification had become the staple for international fixtures. Hooliganism in the 1970s and 1980s was hugely damaging to the game, while the Troubles in Northern Ireland had already led to the 1981 tournament being abandoned.

In 2011, the Carling Nations Cup was played between Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was an unmitigated disaster without England's involvement.

Maybe it's time to resurrect the idea?