Sunday 16 November 2014 18:48, UK
Wayne Rooney will urge England's younger players to keep their composure in the red-hot atmosphere at Celtic Park.
Roy Hodgson’s side continued their European qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Slovenia and attention turns to Tuesday’s international friendly against Scotland in Glasgow.
Rooney has experienced a hostile reception north of the border, having played at Celtic for Manchester United, and also attended a number of games at the home of the Hoops.
The decibel levels will rise when the two countries renew their intense rivalry this week and England’s 29-year-old captain feels he might need to offer words of reassurance to his less experienced teammates.
"You don't realise until you actually play there what the atmosphere is like," said Rooney, who marked his 100th cap with a penalty at Wembley.
"The atmosphere was great when I was in the crowd, unbelievable, but you don't realise until you're on that pitch what it's like so maybe a few of them, you might need to speak to them and say: 'Listen, this is going to be hostile. Make sure you blank it out, relax, and play your normal game. Don't get involved in it."'
Scotland also head into the match on the back of win, with Shaun Maloney’s second-half strike earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on Friday.
This result has kept the Scots amongst the early pacesetters in qualification and Rooney admits they are a much improved team.
"Scotland are doing well at the minute," he said.
"They seem to have found a bit of form under Gordon Strachan, so we know it'll be a tough game."
Until 25 years ago there was an annual meeting between the two nations and the United striker would welcome the introduction of a more regular fixture.
"That would be nice," he said. "It's obviously not down to me, but it would be good."
