Celtic ace Leigh Griffiths can open Scotland scoring account against English

That was the vote of confidence given by former dark blue and Celtic midfielder Murdo MacLeod who reckons the forward's recent run of form in the hoops will pay off tomorrow afternoon.

Despite playing second fiddle to Moussa Dembele for most of the season, Griffiths has still managed to bring in a hefty goal return for the Parkhead side, ending the campaign on 18 strikes from 42 appearances.

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Most importantly for Gordon Strachan and Scotland, an injury to the Frenchman has allowed the former Hibs man to get much needed game time, including bagging four goals in his last six games for Brendan Rodgers' invincibles.

“He hasn’t played all the time but he still manages to get a lot of goals," said MacLeod.

“He also creates a lot of chances for himself.

“Leigh is the type of players who will get chances. He will not be fazed by coming up against England.

“That’s the difference. If we get a chance, especially if it’s Griffiths because he creates a lot of chances for himself, you are just hoping one or two of them goes in.

“Griffiths is the one with so many efforts on goal. You just feel it doesn’t matter who he plays against he’ll always get a chance."

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The Celtic influence in this Scottish team could well be crucial if we are to take anything from the World Cup qualifier at Hampden tomorrow night.

Against Slovenia back in March no less than six Hoops players started the game, while a contingent of Bhoys is very likely to be filling dark blue shirts again this weekend.

Included in their number is Stuart Armstrong who will be in line to gain his second cap. In him and the rest of his team-mates, MacLeod is confident they will create a team spirit that will not fear going up against the likes of Harry Kane and Eric Dier.

“We’ve always got a chance," said the 58-year-old. "Armstrong and people like that turning up will make a difference. Players who are comfortable playing against England, it won’t faze them.

“That’s the first thing. You are turning up to play and you’re not panicking while thinking ‘Oh no it’s England’. England have their own problems. They are not a great side, they are a good side. They will get better as the campaign goes on.

“But I just think we have the chance now. With the fans we’ll have at Hampden, the noise, a competitive game. It’s special for us.

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“If we turn up and play as well as we can we have a chance of taking a point, three points from them."

MacLeod actually gained his first Scotland cap the last time England were defeated at Hampden back in 1985. Here, he recalls that landmark day when Richard Gough sealed a 1-0 victory.

“The phone call came from Jock Stein asking if I’d like to go in the squad as an over-aged player in Iceland for the U21s during the week. I said ‘of course’," he said.

“Then I got a phone call half an hour later saying ‘How would you like to be in the squad for the game against England on Saturday?’. I just said ‘Wonderful, fantastic’.

“Fifteen minutes into the second half Jock told me to go out and get warmed up. I’m watching the game, I’m watching the game then the next thing Goughy scores and I’m jumping about daft that we were 1-0 up. Then I thought ‘I might not get on now!’.

“Then two minutes later he called me in and said I was going on. It was fantastic, a really special moment for me. Jock took me over to the touchline, he had his hand round me and took me right to the line. He then said to me ‘Right, Gordon is coming off, push the midfield across and you go over the other side.’

“To play against that England team was a fantastic occasion for me."

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