SCOTT BROWN insists defeat to England should not overshadow the progress Scotland have made under Gordon Strachan this year.

The national side rounded off 2014 with a 3-1 loss to the Auld Enemy at Celtic Park last night as an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain header and Wayne Rooney brace clinched the win for the Three Lions.

Just days after Parkhead roared the Dark Blues to a crucial Euro qualifier victory over the Republic of Ireland, the Tartan Army were left dejected as Roy Hodgson's side eased over the line.

But skipper Brown knows Scotland can set their sights high once again as Strachan's side continue to show they are on the right track.

He said: "Since Gordon has come in we have just kicked on and kicked on. There will always be a stumble here and there but we are lucky enough that it was in a friendly match.

"We know we are a lot better than that and we have a lot more to offer. We let ourselves down tonight. There were 100,000 fans at the two games and there was a great atmosphere again tonight.

"We know we can compete, but it just wasn't our day and things didn't come together.

"Especially in the Euros, we have got to try to maintain the level we have been playing at and hopefully we can get the wins as well. We need to keep moving up the table and the aim now is France."

England arrived in Glasgow aiming for another triumph over Strachan's side after they edged the Auld Enemy clash at Wembley last year.

The Three Lions showed their class as they turned in an accomplished display to clinch a thoroughly merited win. Andrew Robertson's late effort gave Scotland hope that they could launch a remarkable fightback in the closing stages but it wasn't to be for the Scots.

And Celtic star Brown admits we got what we deserved as Strachan's side failed to continue their impressive run of form.

He said: "We didn't start well, we were sloppy on the ball, we didn't create enough chances and England pressed us well to force the mistakes.

"The first goal is always crucial, especially in these games. It came from nothing to be honest, just a long ball. It is always hard to take.

"But we have to do better. We have to get on the ball and play but we didn't do that in the first half. We weren't brave enough on the ball and didn't create enough chances to put them under pressure.

"There are no excuses whatsoever. But the main thing was that we got three points against the Republic of Ireland and we are sitting well in the group. Now we have got to look forward to Gibraltar."