Tuesday, April 30, 2024
SportInternational FootballRangers hitman Kenny Miller backs Scotland to raise their game in England...

Rangers hitman Kenny Miller backs Scotland to raise their game in England World Cup clash

BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport

KENNY MILLER scored a stunner on Scotland’s last visit to Wembley – and he has backed the current crop to raise their game against the Auld Enemy on Friday night.

The Rangers striker, who claimed 69 caps for the national side, ended his international career in style in August 2013, turning in a fine display in attack during a breathless 3-2 win for England

He capped the showing with a superb curling effort from distance as Gordon Strachan’s men ran the Three Lions close on their own patch.

(PIC: Ronnie Macdonald)
(PIC: Ronnie Macdonald)

Miller knows England will be expected to emerge victorious yet again this week, but believes Scotland can shake off an underwhelming start to World Cup 2018 qualifying an claim a stunning triumph.

“We’ve not started well in terms of the group,” acknowledged Miller. “We could have had a couple of better results and better performances.

“Scotland are definitely going into this game as underdogs because, one, it is away from home and, two, you are facing a team with a level of player that is superior to you.

“But that has never been an issue for us. Any time we ave come up against the bigger nations, we normally rise to the occasion and there is no reason the lads can’t do that again.”

England were thrown into chaos at the end of September when Sam Allardyce resigned in ignominy, leaving Gareth Southgate at the helm as interim manager.

A 2-0 win against Malta at Wembley followed by a tepid 0-0 draw in Slovenia, in which Joe Hart was arguably man of the match, did little to build confidence south of the border.

“Let’s be honest, England are not in great shape,” Miller told Sky Sports. “Gordon will have them prepared and ready for the task at hand – I honestly can’t see any reason Scotland cannot get a positive result.”

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