JACK WILSHERE, the Arsenal midfielder, believes Scotland can qualify for Euro 2016 and hopes England are drawn against them should both countries make it to France.
Wilshere, who created the first goal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with a pinpoint long-range pass, was one of the most impressive performers in Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Gordon Strachan's side at Celtic Park.
While England have all but qualified for the European Championships by winning their opening four group games, Scotland's fate is less certain with four teams in Group D battling it out for the two automatic qualifying berths. Wilshere, though, has seen enough to believe Scotland will join them at the finals.
"I do think Scotland have the quality to get to the European Championships," he said. "They have a lot of ability in the team and a lot of guys who play at a high level every week.
"Scotland also have a lot of good young players coming through so they definitely have the quality to get to the finals. I would welcome them qualifying as well. Of course I would.
"There's a rivalry between the countries but at the same time you want to see the home nations do well. You can imagine what a game at the Euros between Scotland and England would be like. Would I fancy that? Yeah, of course."
England's intensity took some by surprise, and Wilshere said they had revelled in the occasion. "We have great quality in this team and we knew that," he added. "But it was about matching the passion and the desire of Scotland.
"We had to get stuck in and, in the end, our quality showed. It was a great atmosphere. It was a special occasion but we have experienced that as players before.
"We have played in big derbies and Champions League games. This was another massive occasion. We knew everyone at home would be watching and how much it meant to the fans. Thousands travelled, it was a good atmosphere and we were happy to get the win. There were a few heavy tackles but we expected that with the players who were in there.
"Myself, I like a tackle, Scott Brown likes a tackle and Charlie Mulgrew too. Darren Fletcher then came on and he's the same, but James Milner is too. We knew it was going to be like that and that was a big part of the game. We had to win the midfield battle."
Wilshere was not surprised to hear the home fans booing the national anthem before kick-off. "We could hear ourselves sing so that is all that matters," he said.
"It does lift you, though. You get goosebumps but, to be fair, it was always going to happen. We had to be ready for it."
Wayne Rooney, who scored England's two other goals on the night, said he hoped the oldest international fixture could become a regular occurrence in the calendar.
"It's a great game and a great fixture to have for the countries," said the England captain. "You saw at Celtic Park how much the fans enjoyed it. It was a great game at Wembley last year as well. I'm sure both FAs will be looking into it."
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