JAMES FORREST wasted no time in setting his sights on England after a late, late show at Hampden.

A Chris Martin strike two minutes from time against Slovenia means Scotland can fight another day in their bid to reach Russia next year.

With second place in World Cup qualifying Group F now just two points away with a date with the Auld Enemy looming, Forrest says the Scots are in the right place to avenge that 3-0 Wembley defeat back in November.

"Definitely," said the Celtic winger ahead of the Hampden meeting on June 10. “Especially because of the way we played in England, we thought we did alright. I think they had three headers from three crosses.

“Hopefully we can give a better account of ourselves here.

“It sets us up perfectly. We knew we needed to win tonight.

“I thought we played well against England although the result didn’t show that. It’s good we got the three points here which means we can look forward to the England game."

This was a result of great importance not just for a nation but on a personal level.

Manager Gordon Strachan had may no secret of the significance of what was Scotland's fifth game of the campaign as his team's hopes hung by a thread.

And with the doubters circling Hampden as the seconds ticked down, Forrest paid tribute to his gaffer in what has been a testing week for the former Parkhead boss.

He said: “All the players have been putting in at training all week and we all want to play for the manager.

“I think we showed that tonight. All the boys were delighted that we got the three points.

“The gaffer said before the game we didn’t need to win the game in the first 10 minutes or first half or first 60, but we didn’t want to leave it that late!

“We are delighted. We put in a good shift, we could have scored a few early doors but it was good we stuck in to get the three points in the end up.

"It just shows you the courage from all the lads that even when it’s not going our way sometimes we keep going.

“It was positive of the gaffer to put two strikers on and keeping it going. We are all glad it paid off."

Forrest also had a word for club-mate Leigh Griffiths on a night of frustration for the Celtic striker.

Still searching for his first ever international goal, the 26-year-old hit the woodwork twice in a frantic first half before going off with a back injury shortly after the break.

However, Forrest backed Griffiths to hit the mark again and hold down a starting Scotland spot.

He said: “All the lads were creating chances for him. Griff normally puts them away so that happens in football.

“If he’d stayed on maybe he’d have scored.

“We are delighted with the performance of him and all the boys.

“I think all the lads that played, including Griff in the first half, made us look dangerous.

“Everyone misses chances. It happens so it’s good Chris came on to give us the three points."