Scots seek revenge

CHRIS MARTIN has warned Slovakia that a rejuvenated Scotland will give them “a run for their money” at Hampden Park next month.

Gordon Strachan’s men were abject when they lost 3-0 to the Slovaks in their World Cup qualifier in Trnava last October, following a home draw against Lithuania. Scottish hopes looked all but over when they lost 3-0 to England the following month. But after Monday’s 2-0 win over Malta, Scotland are a point behind secondplaced Slovakia with two games to go and Derby striker Martin, left, said: “We are a different team now. I think we will give them a right run for their money.” DEMARAI GRAY gave Bournemouth fans a glimpse of what might have been after he starred in England Under-21s’ thumping win against Latvia.

The winger was subject to a £30million deadline-day bid from the Cherries and was subsequently left out of manager Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions team last week in Holland.

But the 21-year-old showed Boothroyd his worth at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium after he smashed in England’s first goal before Tammy Abraham and Kasey Palmer followed his example.

Gray had England’s first real chance in the 11th minute when he was picked out on the edge of the box by Abraham, but the winger could only fire his effort straight at the Latvian keeper Vladislavs Kurakins.

However, the Leicester winger made amends just two minutes later when he cut in from the left wing on to his right foot before curling his effort into the top corner.

England doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Abraham’s shot from outside the area was parried into the net by the keeper.

Latvia’s best chance of the game came seven minutes into the second half when striker Roberts Uldrikis latched on to a free-kick but could only find the side-netting.

Palmer, the Chelsea midfielder on loan at Huddersfield, added England’s third after a cross from Everton’s Tom Davies was only parried by Kurakins. It fell at Palmer’s feet and he prodded in from close range.