Chris Sutton believes Jordan Henderson would struggle to get into Scotland’s XI ahead of Scott McTominay.
The former Liverpool captain won his 78th England cap as the Three Lions drew 1-1 against Ukraine in Wroclaw in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday evening to remain top of Group C after five matches.
Scotland, meanwhile, extended their 100 percent record in qualifiers with a 3-0 win in Cyprus on Friday night and are top of Group A with 15 points after five games.
Scott McTominay netted his sixth goal in his last five international outings in the win over Cyprus, while his midfield partner John McGinn also found the net.
And such is the solidity shown by Scotland’s midfield under Steve Clarke that Sutton suggested Henderson would not be picked if he was born north of the border.
Chris Sutton believes Jordan Henderson would struggle to get into Scotland’s XI ahead of Scott McTominay
McTominay netted his sixth goal in his last five international outings in Scotland’s 3-0 win over Cyprus on Friday night
Jordan Henderson won his 78th England cap as the Three Lions drew 1-1 against Ukraine
‘Would Jordan Henderson, at this moment in time, get in the Scotland midfield?,’ the former Blackburn and Celtic striker said on the latest episode of Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off! podcast with Ian Ladyman.
‘[Ahead of Callum] McGregor and [Billy] Gilmour? [Ahead of Scott] McTominay and [John] McGinn?’
Henderson, who left the Premier League for Saudi Arabia this summer, was one of three overseas players Gareth Southgate picked in his starting XI along with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
It was the first time in 30 years that three players based outside of England featured in the starting XI for the Three Lions.
Back in June 1993, then-England boss Graham Taylor selected the Serie A trio of Des Walker, David Platt and Paul Gascoigne in his starting line-up for a World Cup qualifier against Norway in Olso, which the hosts won 2-0.
There will be nothing but pride at stake when England and Scotland meet at Hampden Park on Tuesday night in a friendly to commemorate the 150th anniversary of their first fixture.
Both sides will wear special commemorative shirts inspired by the kits both teams wore in 1872, when the two rivals met at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow.
There’s no love lost between the two old foes, but Sutton believes Hampden Park lacks the intimidating atmosphere of Celtic Park and Ibrox.
Speaking on the latest episode of Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off! podcast with Ian Ladyman (left), Sutton praised Scotland’s midfield unit
McTominay (right) and John McGinn (left) have excelled in midfield under Steve Clarke
‘I’ve played up there [at Hampden Park] in many finals and it the stands are too far away from the pitch,’ he said.
‘And I think that’s, you know, that’s the biggest thing. In terms of Celtic Park and Ibrox, they would generate far better atmospheres.
‘But it is what it is. It [Hampden Park] is the national stadium, [it has] great history, but in terms of generating an atmosphere?
‘The Scottish fans are good and they do their best, but it’s not a cauldron, is it?’
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