Scotland celebrates keeping Euro 2020 dream alive against England
The national side have never qualified out of a group at a major finals but, with one point from two games, they still have a chance.
Last updated 19th Jun 2021
Scotland put up the fight of their lives against England for a goalless draw that put their Euro 2020 hopes back on track. After losing their Group D opener against Czech Republic, Steve Clarke's side, with 20-year-old Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour making his first start, responded with a terrific team performance against the Auld Enemy.
In a pulsating encounter, England defender John Stones thudded a header against the post in the first half, but Scotland had chances of their own as they strained every sinew to keep their knockout hopes alive.
The national side have never qualified out of a group at a major finals but, with one point from two games, they still have a chance when they take on Croatia, who also have a point, at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, while England and the Czechs have four points ahead of their meeting.
Celebrations in London - and back home
The goalless affair still kept the Tartan Army inside the stadium singing for the full 90 minutes.
Some of those not lucky enough to have a ticket to the Wembley encounter cheered their team on at the Fan Zone in Glasgow.
Three thousand fans were in fine voice as they cheered their team on as they clinched a point against the Auld Enemy - especially that last ditch clearance from John McGinn.
Steve Clarke has heaped praise on his players after 'criticism'
Scotland boss Steve Clarke believes his side came in for some unfair criticism after the 2-0 defeat by the Czechs.
He said: "I am pleased for everybody, all my players and all my staff. It was a little bit unfair some of the stuff that came our way after Monday's result.
"The objective tonight was to get something from the game so we could go to the last game with a genuine chance of qualifying and that is what we have done
"We have been improving for a long time so it was nice to see the play on the pitch, we defended well, the most pleasing aspect was we played well.''
Clarke made four changes with fit-again Kieran Tierney coming back into defence, Scott McTominay dropping back to midfield with playmaker Callum McGregor and striker Che Adams reinstated.
He explained: "Getting Kieran into the back three with Scott gives us the platform to build from the back to play football and Billy and Callum (McGregor) in midfield are both good footballers.
"We knew we couldn't defend here for 95 minutes or whatever, we knew when we had the ball we had to take care of it and try to create our own chances and that is what we managed to do.''
Billy Gilmour also shone on his first start for his country
Billy Gilmour expressed his pride after taking a Wembley point and UEFA's star of the match award on his first start for Scotland.
The 20-year-old produced a display that belied his youth and inexperience as Scotland held England to a goalless draw and kept their hopes of Euro 2020 progress alive.
The Chelsea player said: "It was a great performance by the full team. We dug in really deep. We came here with a game plan, stuck to it, and did it really well.
"I was ready, I trained with the squad, all the boys have helped me settle in really well. To play against England in my first game, I'm so proud and to come here and do really well was even better.
"I found out (I was starting) in training before we travelled down, we had a slight idea, we were doing shape and set pieces but it wasn't until the last meeting before the game we found out the team.
"I had mum, dad and little brother, uncle and my dad's mates. My mate as well, he came down. I got them tickets. It was a good moment.
"It was amazing, the fans were incredible as well, singing from the first minute to the last. They gave us a massive boost. We knew we had to go on the pitch and give the fans what they wanted.
"The fans were brilliant. We could hear them singing from the first minute to the last. They stayed behind, we went over they were amazing. We were already pumped up, motivated for this game. It was a massive game and we knew what we had to do.''
Gilmour collected a Champions League winners' medal last month but only after sitting on the bench throughout the final and he played a central role against England.
"This one is definitely up there,'' he said. "Playing for my country I'm so proud, against England as well at Wembley. It's massive.''
Arrests made following trouble in the capital
A total of 30 people were arrested in central London as part of the policing operation for England's Euros clash with Scotland, Met Police said.
The force added 25 of the arrests were in central London while five people were arrested in the vicinity of Wembley.
Scotland Yard said in a tweet: "13 arrests were for public order offences, 6 for drunk and disorderly, 4 for assault on police, 3 for assault, 2 related to Class A drugs and one each for breaching a dispersal order and breaching a banning order.''
Red flares were set off as crowds congregated in Leicester Square for the much-anticipated match, which ended in a scoreless draw.
Many fans were wearing kilts and draped in Scotland flags, singing and cheering in the popular tourist spot.
Others kicked footballs, some held aloft bottles of alcohol and many belted out the Scottish national anthem and chanted "No Scotland, no party''.
The Met said officers entered Leicester Square at about 12.45am and encouraged those still at the scene to leave the area, with the square finally cleared by 1.15am.
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