Scotland vs. England: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Friendly Game
On the back of England's 3-1 win over Slovenia on Saturday, Roy Hodgson turned his attention to Tuesday's matchup with Scotland, explaining his views on international friendlies.
"I’m afraid, these days, that friendlies, if they ever had any significance of true value, have certainly lost it during the course of the years," he told the gathered media, per The Guardian.
"There’s no question of that. It was devalued when teams were making as many as 11 substitutions during the course of a game."
Try telling that to the 60,000 Scotland and England fans who will be crammed into Celtic Park roaring their team on.
Host Scotland will be looking for revenge after defeat in August 2013 at Wembley, while Hodgson's new-look England will be eager to show they can win games in the face of adversity.
Bleacher Report looks at the key issues and decisions that will shape this highly anticipated friendly.
Will Ross Barkley Start?
1 of 6
His manager at Everton claims Ross Barkley will become the best English player of all time.
Quoted this weekend in the Daily Mail, Roberto Martinez said:
"There is no doubt in my mind he will be the best player England has ever had.
Ross has everything. Normally a player has the pace and power to get around the pitch or they have the vision to pick a pass.
Ross can do both of those things, and he is technically gifted with both feet. Not only that, he is in love with the game.
"
Given the sluggish first-half display from England against Slovenia on Saturday, Hodgson will be looking for more energy and control from his players in Glasgow.
Barkley has shown for his club side that he can be that man to add quality to England, but will he get his chance against the Scottish?
It could prove a masterstroke by Hodgson and a coming of age night for Barkley.
The Partisan Glasgow Crowd
2 of 6
A passionate crowd helped Scotland past the Republic of Ireland on Friday with a 1-0 victory.
Now that old enemy England are in town, we can expect the atmosphere to be cranked up by more than a notch.
This is a game that doesn't need any more hyping, but Scotland will be eager to get one over Hodgson's side after they snatched a late winner at Wembley two Augusts ago through Rickie Lambert.
The Scots had led twice before being pegged back, and now on home soil, they'll want to show they mean business.
England haven't lost in five matches and are enjoying a good run, even if there form hasn't been quite as convincing.
Can they hold their own in front of a partisan crowd of proud Scots?
It's going to be a big test of character for all involved.
How Seriously Is Roy Hodgson Taking This Game?
3 of 6
Friendly or not, there are local bragging rights at stake here, and it's important for morale that England get a result against Scotland.
But how seriously is Hodgson taking this game? Does he view it as meaningless or will he put national pride on the line and go all out for a victory?
Joe Hart has already been sent back to Manchester City after Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier with Slovenia, so it suggests Hodgson isn't overly concerned with the result on Tuesday.
The England boss had a point when he said international friendlies have lost their appeal, but it's for that reason the local derbies with the Home Nations have been revived.
If Hodgson doesn't take this game seriously, neither will his players and that could prove futile.
The Referee
4 of 6
Jonas Eriksson will referee Scotland vs. England at Celtic Park—a man the Daily Mail has previously reported to be a multimillionaire after selling a stake in a sports rights company.
The same report suggests he referees "for fun," but there will be nothing lighthearted about being the man in the middle on Tuesday.
Eriksson will have a considerable responsibility resting on his shoulders, and he will need to get the big calls right.
There isn't qualification for a major tournament at stake here, nor is it make or break for either team. For the 60,000 fans in the stadium and millions watching at home, this game holds much more significance than that.
Both teams are playing for pride and the honour of their country. The pace will be frenetic, and Eriksson will need to be on form to make the right calls.
Failure to properly control this game could ruin it as a spectacle.
Will Saido Berahino Make His England Debut?
5 of 6
His seven goals in 11 Premier League matches this season have marked Saido Berahino out as one of the most exciting prospects in English football right now.
He was on the bench on Saturday, but will he be given his debut against Scotland?
It will be a cauldron of fire on Tuesday and it will be a risk to start the youngster.
As a West Bromwich Albion player, he will not be used to an atmosphere like it will be on Tuesday. How will he react?
It will only be Berahino's debut, but as we've seen so many times in the past, a bad start to international football can ruin a player's career.
Can Jack Wilshere Flourish in the Midfield Holding Role
6 of 6
Jack Wilshere's vision and range of passing makes for a natural fit in the midfield pivot. He can start attacks and get England moving from deep.
It's not always that easy, though, and there are plenty of factors to consider defensively.
Against Scotland, the pace of the game will dictate Wilshere being under far more pressure than he has been used to in his international career thus far.
Scotland will press high up and chase every ball in the opening exchanges.
To date, Wilshere hasn't been tested in that regard, so we're still not sure how he'll react.
It's a role far removed for what he plays every week at Arsenal, and Tuesday will be a major test for him to show he can be the man to take England forward in that holding position.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
