I’m only bloody 5ft 6 .. can’t believe I got all that space in Scots box
rubbished any notion Southgate’s squad won’t be motivated for an end-of-season Glasgow visit – when most of their star players should be on holiday.
But despite all of that, the 66- cap former star has a hunch Strachan’s boys can take something from the game.
Scholes said: “England should really go up there next week and win.
“Scotland have some good players, don’t get me wrong. But they don’t have the quality they had years ago when a lot of their squad played in the English Premiership.
“They have a few good ones, such as Scott Brown. I’m sure he will have his lads wound up.
“But England should have too much quality going there.
“If you look at what some of our young players are doing in the Premier League they should be too good for Scotland. This is an exciting time for England and Gareth with the amount of young talent coming through.
“But it’s all right having the talent at club level. That has been the case with England for a number of years but it hasn’t really transferred itself to the national team.
“It’s Gareth’s job now to make sure it does. The manager will make sure the England players are right up for it, don’t worry about that.
“I’m sure he’ll be showing them old videos of Scotland v England games in the build-up before going to Hampden.
“But the players should understand the importance of it anyway.
“As for tiredness after a long season in the Premier League? I don’t think that will come into it. They’re young, they’re so fit and professional these days – tiredness can’t be an excuse.
“The lads in Scotland have had a hard season as well remember.
“But home advantage at Hampden could be a big thing for Scotland. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if you got a draw.
“Anything can happen. Scotland have some good, experienced players. England will be big favourites but it’s about how they perform on the day.”
Just like he did the last time they met at Hampden on November 13, 1999.
A capacity crowd turned up hoping to see the Scots carve out a Euro 2000 play-off lead to take to London for the second leg a few days later.
But Scholes stuck a knife in the hearts of every Tartan Army foot soldier with two trademark first-half goals. The first, a bri l l iantly timed run on to Sol Campbell’s pass, terrific chest control past Colin Hendry and a cool finish beyond Neil Sullivan.
And the second, a stunning header in a packed Scotland box when Scholes evaded every giant defender in dark blue to bullet home a typically pinpoint Beckham cross.
In a stellar career for United and England, he would go on to score so many that were similar.
And to this day, you watch and wonder how the smallest man on the pitch wasn’t picked up properly by a Scottish player.
The absence of injured Paul Lambert from Brown’s side – in the midfield anchor role – might have been a factor.
But you get the feeling no one would have been able to live with Scholes’ movement, guile and ruthless finishing that afternoon in Glasgow.
Now, 18 years on, Scholes cheekily said: “What do I remember about the game? I scored two and we beat you!
“I was a bit surprised that I got as much as room as I did for the two goals at Hampden, especially the header to make it 2- 0.
“Scotland had some big defenders playing that day, like Colin Hendry and David Weir – and I’m only bloody 5ft 6ins, I’m tiny. But it was all about the cross from Beckham.
“Sometimes it doesn’t matter how big you are. If the ball’s that good, there’s not a lot you can do to defend against it. I can’t say I knew where he was going