Make us invincible
Six Celts could line up against England SCOTLAND v ENGLAND
GORDON STRACHAN wants Celtic’s title stalwarts to help him turn Scotland into Invincibles against England next month. Strachan named a bumper 29-man squad yesterday for the Battle of Britain showdown with six of the champions already looking like certain starters on June 10. Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Stuart Armstrong, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths are set to make up the spine of Strachan’s XI as the manager prepares for yet another
From Back Page must-win World Cup qualifier. And he has no fears their form may dip after they attempt to finish off an incredible campaign with a domestic clean sweep in Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final.
Strachan said: “There was a concern there might be a dip after the Celtic players won the league but there wasn’t.
“They have that mentality it seems. They say, ‘I’m enjoying this, I must keep this going, wherever I play I must win.’
“There are so many clubs who win things early then drop away.
“It is very hard to keep your team going. But they have kept it going, the whole Celtic gang. We saw how they played here against Slovenia and we’re hoping they can keep that going.
“They’re on this run where they think they are invincible, which is fantastic. They are enjoying every game. Ask any of them if they’re tired just now. Tiredness only seems to creep in when you are getting beat.”
Strachan will trim his squad down to a group of 23 following this weekend’s big finale at Hampden but – injury permitting – the Celtic six will make the cut with leader Brown in line to captain the side as he did last time out in a win over Slovenia.
The Scotland manager said: “What Celtic have done this season is sensational. Not to make a mistake or have a lapse in concentration during the season is incredible.”
Record Sport first revealed before Scotland’s trip to Wembley last November that Brown had reversed his decision to retire from international football. And just last week we told how the 31-year-old had confirmed his availability for the return clash with Gareth Southgate’s stars during a fresh round of talks with Strachan over the phone.
And Strachan said: “You have to remember his mindset from a year ago is completely different. People were saying, ‘Is he past his best, is he as fit as he was?’ He had to deal with that.
“All the Celtic players are much fitter than they were last year so that makes you mentally stronger. And when you’re mentally stronger, you start winning games. It just keeps turning over.
“What is he, 31? That’s nothing for a footballer. At 29 you’ve just had a bad game. When you get to 30 your legs have gone. It’s the perception you get. You have to go, ‘Wait a minute, I’m still running about as much as I did.’
“He’s far more influential now than he was 10 years ago. He had influential spells 10 years ago when they were so exciting it was untrue. But he has an influence for 90 minutes now, longer.”
Record Sport was also first to reveal Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean would be included in Strachan’s plans and the 25-year-old is in the provisional squad along with team-mate Mark Reynolds.
But surprisingly there is no place for a third Dons star, Graeme Shinnie, who looked to have played his way into contention.
Brighton striker Jamie Murphy has also been drafted in after
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Jack Hamilton (Hearts), David Marshall (Hull), Allan McGregor (Hull).
Defenders: Ikechi Anya (Derby), Christophe Berra (Ipswich), Stephen Kingsley (Swansea), Russell Martin (Norwich), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn), Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen), Andrew Robertson (Hull), Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Celtic), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Scott Brown (Celtic), Tom Cairney (Fulham), Darren Fletcher (West Brom), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), John McGinn (Hibs), Kenny McLean (Aberdeen), James Morrison (West Brom), Robert Snodgrass (West Ham).
Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby), Jamie Murphy (Brighton), Steven Naismith
(Norwich). helping fire his club into England’s top flight. But Strachan dismissed any notion England’s pampered Premier League stars will not be looking forward to this inconvenient end-of-season trip across the border.
He said: “But it’s the ones at the top like Harry Kane. He has scored eight goals in three games and is still driving away. I don’t think coming up to Scotland is a big deal for these guys. They fly about everywhere, they relish it. Top players enjoy big games.”