Luke Shaw dedicates Celtic Park victory to England fans

Wednesday 19 Nov 2014
Luke Shaw said he learnt a lot from his Celtic Park experience

Luke Shaw said he loved every minute of playing in the "crazy" Celtic Park atmosphere, and dedicated the victory to England's fans.

The left-back featured in his first game for the Three Lions since the World Cup after injury kept him sidelined for the early part of the campaign.

He returned to Roy Hodgson’s squad for their final two outings of 2014. 

And in Glasgow on Tuesday night helped them extend their winning streak to six games, after a goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and a Wayne Rooney double.

Luke Shaw says victory in Scotland was 'for the fans'

“It’s great momentum for us now, six on the bounce,” Shaw told TheFA.com. 

“We knew that we wanted to win this game and how much it means to the fans, so it was great to get the win. 

“I didn’t expect the fireworks, but it was a crazy atmosphere today and I loved every minute of it. 

“It’s not every week you get to play in a massive game like this with an atmosphere like that. It was a really enjoyable game.

“It was a great performance from every player. It wasn’t easy at times, we knew it was going to be tough. 

The players enter the field of play at Celtic Park

The game was played in front of a packed house at Celtic Park

But we stuck together and when they scored we had a great reaction to score ourselves, which was a very good goal.” 

Shaw’s Manchester United team-mate and captain for both club and country, Wayne Rooney, moved to within three goals of England’s all-time record with his brace.

Rooney’s second wrapped up the victory and sends Hodgson’s men into the winter break full of confidence, but the 19-year-old is keen not to get too carried away.

“There were 20-odd passes and watching it from the bench it was a spectacular goal with Wazza [Rooney] getting more goals and a step closer to the top,” added Shaw.

“We had discussions about what we want to be achieving before the New Year and we just want to keep winning games. 

England took around 5,000 fans to Celtic Park

Around 5,000 England fans travelled north for the game

“We don’t want to go overboard about it, but today we came here for the win and we achieved that. Now the focus is on the Qualifier [against Lithuania] in March.”

The match in Glasgow was Shaw’s fourth at senior level for England, but despite being the youngest player in the squad he admits he’s feeling comfortable playing and is learning all the time.

And having faced, and beaten, Scotland on home soil he says the team goes into the international winter break on a high.

“We said in the changing room after, it was a great way to end the week, especially playing Scotland it makes it a bit sweeter to come here on their patch and beat them.

“It was a very tough one and sometimes not so pretty football, but games like that I’ll learn a lot from. I feel I’m comfortable at any level I play. 

“Today was a different test for me, but one that will only improve me as a player, so hopefully there’ll be more tests for me like that to come.”

Watch goals and highlights from Scotland 1-3 England

 


By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor