THEY may be the Auld Enemy to most in Scotland, but Andy Robertson is hoping an Auld pals' act will see our English cousins help Gordon Strachan's side out in their pursuit of a World Cup play-off place.
After six games in Group F Scotland currently sit in fourth place with eight points. That's three behind third-placed Slovenia, and four behind Slovakia in second with each team still with four games to play.
Now here comes the tricky part.
An air of renewed confidence has wafted through the Scotland camp of late. Well, a win and a draw will do that sort of thing. But even the most optimistic of Tartan Army footsoldiers would concede winning all remaining games to keep hopes alive of finishing in a potential play-off place is a bit far fetched. A few favours therefore may need to be called in.
Read more: Kieran Tierney: 10 days off is enough for me ... and even they aren't proper days off
Thankfully for Robertson, England are on hand. Both Slovakia and Slovenia still have to play each other, while each side must make a trip to Wembley with Scotland safe in the knowledge both English fixtures have already been put to bed.
“I think we need to take points in every game. Whether we need to win them I’m not quite sure. We will need to wait and see what other results are doing," said the Hull City defender.
“We’ve got England out the way and we hope they go on and win every game now. You want them to beat everyone because we need to play catch up on Slovenia and Slovakia.
“We’ve taken a point and we will move on. The next four games are big but we need to focus on the positives from Slovenia and England. If we do that then we can pull off points in all the games."
Robertson is a man who knows what it's like to play a key role in a Scotland v England showdown. Only three years ago the former Dundee United man netted against Roy Hodgson's men during a friendly at Parkhead, but even he admits that if Strachan's men had held on to a famous victory on Saturday then that would have been the highlight of his career so far.
“When the second free kick went in, if we go on and hold on I think it’s the best moment of my career.
Read more: Kieran Tierney: 10 days off is enough for me ... and even they aren't proper days off
“It’s hard to take. Especially when we’ve been on such a high to that low is so hard. Maybe we need a day or two to reflect. I think everyone would have taken a point at the start, especially at 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go when they have the possession. But it’s a tough one to take.
“I’ll be honest I didn’t think he [Leigh Griffiths] could do it again. The first one has flown in the back of the net with unbelievable technique. For the second one, don’t get me wrong I knew he had it in his locker but to be able to do that twice in a row in such quick succession with all the pressure on him, it’s just amazing. It’s amazing technique.
“I thought he was magnificent. He worked hard and gave Smalling and Cahill a torrid time. They were uncomfortable with him all day and then he got a bit of a help with Chrissy. He was drawing the fouls and Griff will take all the headlines. And rightly so."
Turning back to domestic matters, Robertson's future remains unclear. After being relegated from the Premier League, speculation has started to bubble about a move away from the KCOM Stadium, with Liverpool believed to be monitoring his situation.
Read more: Kieran Tierney: 10 days off is enough for me ... and even they aren't proper days off
"I’ve seen the speculation in the papers and people talking about it, but I’ve switched my phone off for the last week or two to try and focus on the England game. It was such a massive game for all of the boys and it’s unfair for anyone to think about their future.
“I’ll have plenty of time to do that. I’m looking forward to getting away now on holiday and if something gets sorted in that time then so be it.
“Of course. Don’t get me wrong it’s unbelievable getting linked with big clubs. That’s where you want to go, of course it is.
“If there is any truth in the paper then so be it. I’ll speak to my agents and see what they have to say."
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