HAMPDEN LOWDOWN

KEY BATTLES SCOTT BROWN v DELE ALLI A midfield duel that could hold the key to this Auld Enemy clash. Alli is the creative force in the England team. He pulls the strings for Spurs, scored 18 goals last year and the 21-year-old has won the PFA Young Player of the Year for the last two seasons. A rejuvenated Brown will be tasked to mark Alli out of the game. CHARLIE MULGREW v HARRY KANE MULGREW will ply his trade in English League One next season and Kane is the Golden Boot holder in the top flight. No contest? Well, maybe not. The Spurs striker’s goal ratio is modest by his high standards for his country, five in 17 games, and Mulgrew boasts plenty of big-game experience of his own to draw upon. LEIGH GRIFFITHS v GARY CAHILL THE tireless Griffiths posed problems early on for Cahill when England tried to pass the ball out from the back in the last qualifier. That same energy will be crucial to give Scotland a platform in the game. However, Cahill and co are unlikely to yield any easy chances for a man who has yet to score for Scotland. CELTIC CONNECTION WILL HAVE TO COMBAT THE SIZZLING SPURS DUO ÷SKY-HIGH in confidence, the six Celtic players had an enormous impact in the 1-0 victory over Slovenia. Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths rose to the occasion. However, England have players in good form too and will hope Harry Kane and Dele Alli can combine as well as they do for Tottenham. HOW WILL YOUTHFUL ENGLAND HANDLE THE HEAT AT HAMPDEN? ÷ THE average age of England’s squad is 25.9 and Scotland’s is 27.9. Gareth Southgate’s side is one full of potential but lacks in experience. Attack-minded players like Alli, Kane, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all key players that are 23 or under. Will they click or crumble?