England defenders face ‘different test’ against Euro 2020 rivals Scotland, claims Martin Keown with Maguire set to play
ARSENAL legend Martin Keown believes Scotland will pose a physical threat to England’s centre-backs in their Euro 2020 clash.
And reports suggest Harry Maguire will make his comeback from injury against the Auld enemy on Friday.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Keown said: “Scotland are capable of playing good football but they didn’t set up to do that against the Czech Republic. They were very direct.
“I was quite shocked and surprised how often Scotland went long in that game. Especially in the first half, every time the keeper David Marshall got it, he launched it.
“If they adopt that style again, it will be a different test for our centre-backs, and for Declan Rice in front of them, because it will be a throwback – more akin to the kind of game England manager Gareth Southgate might have faced as a player at club level rather than international level.”
And there’s a good chance Maguire, 28, will be one of those centre-backs as Gareth Southgate has confirmed the player will be involved in some capacity.
Whether that will be as a starter or just in 23-man squad remains to be seen.
The Manchester United captain hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury in a Premier League match against Aston Villa last month.
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Keown also reckons Scotland’s biggest threat is their captain Andy Robertson down the left wing and has urged them to show more quality in the final third.
The former England defender is also hoping to see Arsenal star Kieran Tierney make his tournament debut after missing the Scots’ opener against Czech Republic through injury.
And the ex-Celtic defender may have to face Villa skipper Jack Grealish, with reports suggesting he will START at Wembley.
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Scotland legend Derek Whyte has urged Steve Clarke’s side to beat England in London and become ‘legends’.
Scotland haven’t celebrated a victory over the English for nearly 22 years, although they did hold them to a 2-2 draw in their last meeting in June 2017.
The last time the two sides met at in a major tournament was at Euro ’96, when Paul Gascoigne scored an iconic goal in a 2-0 England win.
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