Jack Wilshere can't wait for 'massive game' against Scotland

Tuesday 18 Nov 2014
Jack Wilshere has 25 international caps
Jack Wilshere cannot wait for Tuesday’s meeting with Scotland and is aiming for a sixth straight England victory. 

The Arsenal midfielder featured when the neighbours met at Wembley last year and Rickie Lambert’s header sealed a 3-2 victory for England

This week the two sides meet again in a much-anticipated game to bring 2014 to a close, and Wilshere believes the Three Lions must be on the front foot if they are to overcome a resurgent Scottish team. 

Scotland v England

Vauxhall International Challenge Match
8pm, Tuesday 18 November
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Live on ITV

“It’s a massive game, not just me but all the team are buzzing for it,” said Wilshere. 

“You can ask any member of the public, they know what it means and we know what it means to them as well. 

“Everyone is talking about the atmosphere, it’s going to be a great game, but it’s up to us to take the game to them, show our character, show them the team we’ve turned into since the World Cup.” 

Wilshere remembers with fondness last year’s win at Wembley but knows that Scotland will be looking to get their own back this time around. 

Jack Wilshere speaks to FATV

Gordon Strachan’s side are level-pegging in European Qualifying Group D with world champions Germany, so will be looking to continue their good form with a strong performance against England. 

And after last year’s game under the arch, the 22-year-old will be passing on his experiences to England’s younger players. 

“If anyone went into that game thinking it was a friendly it definitely wasn’t a friendly,” said Wilshere. 

“We wanted to win and to be fair they made a really good effort and took the game to us and made it difficult. 

“After the World Cup we wanted to become a team who is hard to beat and difficult to play against”

Jack Wilshere 

“In the end our quality showed and we won the game, but we know what we are in for. They have improved as a team but we must show that we have improved as a team too. 

“Maybe the Scottish players will be even more up for it this time as we are in their ground and they’ll want a little bit of revenge.” 

Wilshere and England will not take things lying down, though. Having won five on the bounce they will be looking to continue their good run of form into the New Year.

“We’ve had five wins in a row and only conceded one goal. We want to keep going on the right path, even though it’s a friendly we’ll be treating it the same as we would a qualifier. 

“We couldn’t have asked for any more really. After the World Cup we wanted to become a team who is hard to beat and difficult to play against. 

“Naturally going forward we were always going to create chances because of the players we have in this team. 

“We just wanted to be more of a difficult team to play against and I think we’ve done that.”

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor in Glasgow