Ben Foster has warned his England team-mates that Scotland will be looking to kick lumps out of them in Glasgow on Tuesday night.
England take on the Auld Enemy in what is supposed to be an international friendly at Celtic Park. But after watching Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualifying victory against Republic of Ireland on Friday night, Foster believes that England face a physical clash.
Louis van Gaal, the Manchester United manager, Everton’s Roberto Martínez and Arsenal’s Arsène Wenger will be particularly worried as Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley and Theo Walcott have not long recovered from injuries.
Foster and Fraser Forster are battling it out to make a rare start for England after the first-choice goalkeeper Joe Hart was granted a rest and sent home after the Euro 2016 qualifying win against Slovenia.
Asked what England could expect in Scotland, Foster replied: “From watching the game the other night, they were kicking lumps out of each other weren’t they? It was a good watch, very high tempo, I could just feel the atmosphere watching it on the TV. It’s almost like they were getting more up for a good tackle, than they were good passes and things. I’m sure we can expect the same atmosphere and same sort of game. It will be a good one to be involved in.”
Other than the rough treatment they may receive, the Southampton goalkeeper Forster knows all about the intimidating atmosphere awaiting England, having spent four years as a Celtic player.
Forster lost only nine times at Parkhead during his Celtic career and was part of the side that secured a famous Champions League victory over Barcelona in 2012. “It’s an unbelievable atmosphere at Celtic Park,” Forster said. “I’ve only sampled it at club level, but the Barcelona players came out and said it was the best atmosphere they’d ever played in.
“With the calibre of players they’ve got, they’ve played in some big games and to hear them come out and say it was the best, tells you how unique it is. It’s a fantastic stadium, it’s quite tight, so it will be really loud and will make for a fantastic game.” Forster has won just two England caps, the last of which game in the World Cup warm-up game against Honduras as a late replacement for Hart.
“It would be a fantastic opportunity if I do get to play,” said 26-year-old Forster. “It will be a fantastic atmosphere and to play in a Scotland-England game would be a dream come true. It will be good to go back to Celtic Park. I’ve got fantastic memories of being there, particularly the Barcelona game. I know a few of the lads on their team and it will be a special night.
“The rivalry between England and Scotland has always been there. It’s a derby game and that’s the sort of game you want to play in, to experience a fantastic atmosphere if I’m fortunate enough to play.”
Despite enjoying famous Champions League nights at Celtic, Forster left Scotland to join Southampton in the summer. “I had great time at Celtic and will be forever grateful for what they did for me. They gave me a chance and really believed in me.
“They gave me the opportunity to play Champions League football and European football. It was something really special and it was just a case of in the summer I thought it was time to move on for a new challenge. Southampton have been absolutely brilliant. We’ve had a great start to the season, which is a real credit to the manager and everyone connected with the club.”
Foster has made eight England appearances and the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper kept a clean sheet during the final World Cup game against Costa Rica. The 31-year-old, however, accepts that, whatever happens in Glasgow, Hart will remain as England’s No 1. “It will be nice to play any game for England, to be honest,” Foster said.
The same goes for Fraser as well. When you’re sat on the bench watching, you’re always thinking you want to be playing, but fair play to Joe, his place as England’s No 1 is cemented now. Joe’s fantastic and we are happy to have him. It’s frustrating at times, but you know the score and that’s why we all get on so well and why we are selected in the squad together. We all know our roles.”
Forster added: “Joe’s a top top keeper, me and Ben know that. We see him in training every day. But we’ve got a fantastic group. We work really hard and bring the best out of each other. We all want to show what we can do. You’ve just got to be focused and concentrate. You never know when there will be an injury or there’s a sending off and you’ll be needed.”
On his choice between Foster and Forster, Roy Hodgson, the England manager, said: “I agree, it would mean a lot to Fraser going back to Celtic, but I haven’t told the goalkeepers who is going to play yet.
“Fraser’s strengths are his maturity really. He showed that maturity at Celtic. For a young man he’s had plenty of games and plenty of Champions League games. Coming to Southampton and taking part in such a successful start to the season, we saw I think with Nathaniel Clyne as well, it does give confidence.”
Four Glasgow epics
Scotland 3-1 England, Hampden Park, April 17, 1937
The attendance of 149,547 remains the largest to watch an international match in Europe. Robert McPhail proved Scotland’s hero, scoring twice
Scotland 2-0 England, Hampden Park, April 14, 1962
Scotland beat England at Hampden for the first time since 1937 as Davy Wilson and Eric Caldow scored the goals that sent home fans crazy
Scotland 0-5 England, Hampden Park, Feb 14, 1973
It was a Valentine’s Day massacre at Allan Clarke and Martin Chivers both scored twice
Scotland 0-2 England, Hampden Park, Nov 14 ,1999
Paul Scholes scored twice to set England on their way in this European Championship play-off
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