Roy Hodgson praised his players' resolve after watching England beat Scotland 3-1 to silence the noisy Glasgow crowd.
A first-half header from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain put the Three Lions ahead at Celtic Park, before two Wayne Rooney goals either side of Andy Robertson’s strike for Scotland sealed their sixth win on the trot.
Scotland 1-3 England
Vauxhall International Challenge Match
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Tuesday 18 November
And the manager was pleased to be able to send the England fans back across the border happy with another victory for their team.
“Some of our attacking movements were very good, our defending was sharp and when we did lose the ball we were quick to win it back,” said Hodgson.
“You can’t ask for much more than that in a game where we played a good team, in a very supportive atmosphere for the home team.
Watch goals and highlights from Scotland 1-3 England
“We managed to quieten them and give our own fans something to cheer about.”
He continued: “Friendlies are still friendlies to some extent, but there was no doubt tonight what Scotland’s intentions and ambitions were, and I don’t think there was any doubt what our intentions and ambitions were.
“It was an intense football match that we came out on top, largely because of the quality of our players.”
The result completes a memorable double for Hodgson, who has now guided the Three Lions to back-to-back victories over the Scots, having overseen last year’s 3-2 win at Wembley.
But, with the winter break now upon him, the manager’s only disappointment is that he will not see his squad together again until the end of March.
“There were some very good individual performances again and it’s nice to finish the year with another good result”
Roy Hodgson
England manager
“I’ve been quite lucky to play Scotland twice. Once in front of a full-house at Wembley and once in front of a full-house at Celtic Park,” he said. “To have those two games on my CV I’m delighted.
“There were some very good individual performances again and it’s nice to finish this part of the year with another good result, our sixth victory.
“Now unfortunately for me it’s going to be quite a while before I have the chance to work with them again.”
Hodgson also applauded his captain who popped up with a double after one against Slovenia on Saturday in what was his 100th appearance for England.
“It’s been a nice three or four days for Wayne. The Slovenia game where he got his 100th cap and a good victory, then tonight we’ve added to that with this victory in Scotland.
“We knew it was going to be a hard place to come and win, but we are pleased we could do it and I’m sure Wayne is delighted.”
