MARK McGHEE has described Leigh Griffiths as Scotland’s most natural goalscorer but admitted the Celtic striker is an unlikely Wembley starter.
Gordon Strachan was always unlikely to change his philosophy in terms of who he sees as the best player to lead the line in his preferred formation and while Griffiths has not been at his best since returning from injury, he has still managed two more goals for his club.
This should mean that either Chris Martin or Steven Fletcher will begin against England even if McGhee, the national team’s assistant manager, admitted the squad's most potent centre-forward in terms of scoring actual goals will be on the bench.
Read more: Steven Naismith admits Scotland's hard luck stories have left him feeling "crap"
“I wouldn’t be out or order saying Leigh is the best finisher we probably have in the squad,” said McGhee. “However, I think the manager, in particular in that position, will pick the right type of player for the game. We have four strikers who are all a bit different.
“It will come down to the one that fits the role we need them to play in once we decide on our strategy and tactics. Leigh scoring and playing does help him. Chris Martin is also playing and scoring in a winning team.”
McGhee dismissed any notion that Friday’s World Cup qualifier meant more to the Scottish players than their English counterparts
“I heard Graeme Souness talking and he said he knows a lot of English players feel the same (as Scotland),” he said. “It's not changed in that respect. We saw that at Parkhead in that game and how up for it they were. They really came at us that night.
Read more: Steven Naismith admits Scotland's hard luck stories have left him feeling "crap"
“We don't have any illusions or think that they won't be bothered about beating Scotland. They should know that our boys are as serious about beating England as they have always been.”
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