Scotland v England: How the players rated at Celtic Park
By Phil McNulty & Alasdair Lamont BBC Sport at Celtic ParkEngland won on their first visit to Scotland in 15 years thanks to two goals from captain Wayne Rooney and one from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rooney each headed in to give England a 2-0 lead just after half-time.
Andrew Robertson pulled Scotland back into the encounter at Celtic Park with a left-foot finish, before Rooney sealed the 3-1 win after a neat lay-off from Adam Lallana.
How did the players on both sides fare?
Scotland
David Marshall (Goalkeeper) 6
Couldn't be faulted for the goal as he was left totally unprotected by his defence. Dealt with everything else comfortably.
Steven Whitaker (Right-back) 5
Looked ponderous at times in defence and couldn't get forward to any great effect. A couple of long-range efforts at goal blocked in the first half and couldn't have been delighted to see Raheem Sterling come on for the final 25 minutes.
Russell Martin (Centre-back) 6
Managed the first effort on target for the Scots, but part of a shaky-looking backline when it came to defending high balls. Like his defensive colleagues found the on-song Rooney and company too much to handle.
Grant Hanley (Centre-back) 5
Caught underneath Jack Wilshere's admittedly superb cross for the opening goal. Stuck to his task manfully but the superiority of England's attack took its toll.
Andrew Robertson (Left-back) 6
A rollercoaster night for the young full-back. Let Oxlade-Chamberlain run off him for England's first goal, while the ball bounced off him for the second. But, scored a superb consolation and never hid.
Shaun Maloney (Midfielder) 6
Largely ineffectual but never stopped trying to create or working back against England's marauding full-backs.
Charlie Mulgrew (Midfielder) 6
Another who was as industrious as against the Republic of Ireland, but without being able to influence the game to the same degree. Showed his versatility by moving to centre-back during the second half, where he looked assured.
Scott Brown (Midfielder) 6
As tenacious as ever in the 45 minutes he played and rarely wasteful with a pass. Was understandably taken off at the break, having covered almost every blade of grass in the win over the Republic of Ireland.
Ikechi Anya (Midfielder) 5
Faded out of the game after a promising open 20 minutes. Unable to get the better of the equally pacy Nathaniel Clyne and replaced after an hour.
Chris Martin (Forward) 4
Also hooked at half-time, having made no impact on his first start for the national team. Despite being in sparkling form for Derby in the Championship, the step-up in class was too great on the night, though service to him was scant.
Steven Naismith (Forward) 6
Linked play well in an even first half but struggled, like his team-mates, to create any real danger for England.
Substitutes
Craig Gordon (for David Marshall, 45 minutes) 6
Made his first international appearance for four years in the second half and, like Marshall, was left exposed for the goals he conceded. The very fact he has returned to this level of football after two years out through injury is testament to his character.
Darren Fletcher (for Scott Brown, 45 minutes) 5
Lacks Brown's drive and never looked like providing the creative force necessary to unlock England's defence. Combative against a tough opposition midfield.
James Morrison (for Chris Martin, 45 minutes) 5
Some nice touches but with Scotland chasing the game, found it difficult to penetrate a solid midfield and backline.
Barry Bannan (for Ikechi Anya, 61 minutes) - no rating
Steven May (for Grant Hanley, 66 minutes) - no rating
Johnny Russell (for Shaun Maloney, 81 minutes) - no rating
England have now won six successive games
England
Fraser Forster (Goalkeeper) 6
Had little to do, but made one routine save from Russell Martin on a night which will have done his confidence good.
Nathaniel Clyne (Right-back) 7
Another impressive showing from the Southampton defender. Dependable in defence and willing to assist in attack. Now deserves a run in the side.
Gary Cahill (Centre-back) 6
Only got 45 minutes and had little to do in that time.
Chris Smalling (Centre-back) 6
Steady but was well-protected as England kept Scotland at arm's length throughout.
Luke Shaw (Left-back) 7
Showed pace and ambition going forward. Promise for the future, although he is still very much the understudy to Leighton Baines.
James Milner (Midfielder) 6
Quiet game but got through his usual mountain of work.
Jack Wilshere (Midfielder) 9 - man of the match
England's best player, created Oxlade-Chamberlain's goal with a brilliant pass and was prominent throughout in midfield.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Midfielder) 7
Scored a goal that will give him a real lift and a threat on the break as Scotland chased the game in the second half.
Stewart Downing (Midfielder) 5
Strangely only got 45 minutes in his first taste of international football since May 2012 and did not distinguish himself, although did not spend any time in the number 10 position where he has flourished at West Ham.
Danny Welbeck (Forward) 7
Put himself about, worked tirelessly and was willing to mix it with Scotland's defenders when the going turned tough. A player Roy Hodgson counts on.
Wayne Rooney (Forward) 8
Outstanding again. Led from the front with class and maturity and scored two goals into the bargain.
Substitutes
Phil Jagielka (for Cahill, 45 minutes) 6
Relatively untroubled outing for Everton's captain.
Adam Lallana (for Downing, 45 minutes) 6
Neat and tidy and played his part in Rooney's second goal.
Kieran Gibbs (for Shaw, 65 minutes) - no rating
Raheem Sterling (for Welbeck, 65 minutes) - no rating
Rickie Lambert (for Oxlade-Chamberlain, 79 minutes) - no rating
Ross Barkley (for Wilshere, 86 minutes) - no rating
No comments:
Post a Comment