Mark McGhee believes that the Celtic players selected in the Scotland national team will play a crucial role in helping Gordon Strachan’s men defeat England in the vital World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park this weekend.
Celtic players Craig Gordon, Scott Brown, James Forrest, Kieran Tierney, Leigh Griffiths and Stuart Armstrong have all been selected for the upcoming international fixture.
All six men have played a crucial role in helping the Hoops secure a historic campaign as they remained undefeated throughout the domestic season and completed the treble.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Scotland national team assistant manager Mark McGhee believes that the confidence flowing through the Celtic players can only be a positive for the squad ahead of the crucial clash against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
“That’s why we played the six lads: they brought a confidence and an understanding between each other which added something to the team,” he said.
“Last time out we saw their energy and their enthusiasm and the confidence obviously, but there was another advantage too, in that you feel as if the players are connected.
“They have an understanding of each other’s game, whether it’s the midfield players linking with Griff up front for example.
“That’s an attribute that is hard to bring that to a team when you have a week to work with them.”
All six players were involved from the start in Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in March where Gordan Strachan’s side came away with a 1-0 victory at Hampden Park.
Kieran Tierney and Stuart Armstrong were the only two to miss out on the match at Wembley where Scotland suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of England in the reverse fixture in November 2016.
Gareth Southgate’s men currently top Group F and Scotland are in fourth place, five points behind England.