THE MATCH19
ENGLAND HERO DEFOE GUNS FOR SCOTS
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe is targeting a ‘strong’ finish to the season with relegation-threatened Sunderland – as he he hopes to clinch a place in the England squad for June’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland.
Defoe marked his return to international duty with the opening goal in yesterday’s 2-0 qualifying victory against Lithuania at Wembley.
Now he wants to make sure of a place in Gareth Southgate’s plans for the end-ofseason clash with Scotland at Hampden.
Asked about staying in the squad for the Glasgow game, Defoe said: “Obviously I’ve got to go back to my club and make sure we finish the season strong.
“Like I’ve always done, I’ll keep my head down and see what happens.”
Sunderland are bottom of the Premier League table, seven points from safety, ahead of their return to action at Watford this coming Saturday.
Defoe led England out with brave cancer battler Bradley Lowery ahead of winning his 56th cap. And he added: “it’s good to be back. Just to win the game was important and we did that. It’s hard to put in words really to be back.
“I had to keep my emotions in at the beginning with little Bradley Lowery with me.
“You can imagine how I felt doing that having done it with my club as well.
“Just to be back playing with the lads felt good.”