Rangers captain Lee Wallace started for Scotland against England on Friday – and the Ibrox skipper impressed.
Pundit Steven Thompson has told BBC Sport that he felt Lee Wallace was Scotland’s best player against England – but he wasn’t quite so impressed with Grant Hanley.
Scotland travelled down to Wembley Stadium to take on old rivals England in their 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Friday evening, but they left empty-handed as the pressure mounts on manager Gordon Strachan.
Daniel Sturridge’s first half header put England in front, before Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill added second half goals to give the Three Lions a 3-0 victory.
England’s Kyle Walker in action with Scotland’s Lee Wallace
With just four points and one victory from the first four games of qualifying, Scotland already lie six points behind group leaders England, and many expect Strachan to leave his role in the near future.
After the final whistle at Wembley, former Rangers and Scotland striker Steven Thompson spoke to BBC Sport about the game, and offered his player ratings from the Scotland side.
Scotland’s Grant Hanley in action with England’s Gary Cahill and Eric Dier
Thompson was impressed with left back Lee Wallace, with the Rangers captain handed a start in the Scotland defence, and Thompson suggested that Wallace was Scotland’s ‘best player on the night’ as he was strong going forward and worked hard.
Thompson also commented on the performance of defender Grant Hanley, who missed a golden opportunity to score, and has been heavily criticised in recent internationals.
The former striker suggested that Hanley improved on his display against Slovakia last month, but still only rated him at 5/10 after his terrible header.
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson
“Scotland’s best player on the night after a long absence from the international scene. Offered a real threat going forward and worked tirelessly,” said Thompson.
“Played better than in Slovakia and unlucky at first goal after making a good block. Wasted a great chance to equalise, failing to hit the target from a free header,” he added.
What did you think of Hanley and Wallace’s performances against England?
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