The applause was
grudging and the words of praise spoken in hushed tones, but it was a measure
of how England's Jude Bellingham ruled Hampden Park that even some Scotland
fans were finally prepared to set rivalry aside to acknowledge his brilliance.
Bellingham's vision
and touch put the concluding flourish on a performance of world-class quality
by creating Harry Kane's late goal, setting the seal on a comfortable 3-1 win
in this celebration of the 150th anniversary of the first meeting between
Scotland and England.
It was then that a
brave few Scotland fans - only a few mind you - put their hands together in
appreciation for a masterclass from 20-year-old Bellingham.
There was no shame in
Scotland being run ragged by Bellingham, who played a part in England's first
goal scored by Phil Foden then scored the second himself after an awful error
by Scotland captain Andrew Robertson, as he has been ripping up La Liga since
his summer move to Real Madrid.
It was Bellingham who
felt the full force and fury of Hampden Park when he came towards the touchline
for a drink seconds before kick-off and was given some colorful analysis of
his ability by fired-up Scotland fans.
Bellingham was the
target for some initial Scotland efforts to test his temperament and knock him
out of his stride, but he has the edge to go with his natural gifts, rode out
that early storm, and simply played on a different level to everyone else on the
pitch.
He has elegance and
power and can create and score goals. Bellingham is, quite simply, the
complete package. England manager Gareth Southgate has a truly special talent
on his hands, a player who will be the envy of any other country in world
football.
Bellingham, as he
admitted himself, was below his usual standards during Saturday's 1-1 draw
against Ukraine in Wroclaw, but everything about his body language and intent
when in possession screamed of someone laser-focused on ensuring that would not
happen again.
England's overall
display was much more cohesive and threatening than the dull offering in
Poland, with Manchester City's Foden making the most of his opportunity and
Kane applying the final blow to Scotland.
The build-up to the
game carried all the hallmarks of this great old rivalry with noise, color,
pyrotechnics, and a rousing rendition of Flower Of Scotland to stir the blood of
Scottish fans - not that it needed much stirring once they caught sight of
England's white shirts.
Bellingham was the
name on everyone's lips, even reluctantly among the small band of Scotland fans
who chose to publicly appreciate England's superstar - belatedly and once the
game was lost, admittedly.
Southgate knew this
was an awkward assignment, not simply because Scotland has improved under the
excellent guidance of Steve Clarke to the extent that they look as certain to
qualify for Euro 2024 as their adversaries from across the border, but also because
this game always carries meaning and fierce competitiveness.
Scotland has closed
the gap but this demonstrated that it remains a considerable one, as proved by
the manner of England's win and how they clearly contained all the high-class
performers in this game.
One other England
player, apart from Bellingham, was acknowledged by Scotland's supporters but
this was in loud and ironic fashion and again flagged up a long-term dilemma
for Southgate.
When Crystal Palace's
Marc Guehi went off at half-time, Southgate chose not to use AC Milan's Fikayo
Tomori or throw in Chelsea's Levi Colwill.
Instead, Manchester
United's outcast former captain Harry Maguire was plunged into the fray, to the
same deafening ironic roars from Scotland fans that greeted him from the home
support when he was brought on at Arsenal recently.
Maguire's every touch
was mocked in similar fashion inside Hampden Park. It was, presumably, not
Southgate's intention to lift the mood of Scotland's subdued followers as they
trailed 2-0, but that was exactly the impact of the 30-year-old's introduction.
England's fans
responded by loudly rallying to Maguire's cause but there was a grim
predictability about what happened in the 67th minute, the defender lazily
sticking out a leg to divert Robertson's cross past helpless keeper Aaron
Ramsdale.
Hampden Park rocked to
the sound of renewed hope that lasted until Kane scored nine minutes from time
- leaving Maguire to pump his fists in front of England's fans in thanks for
their backing.
It would take a heart
of stone, or an opposition supporter, not to feel some measure of sympathy for
a player whose career has come to a standstill at the club level and does not seem
able to catch a break when he does make a rare appearance.
Maguire currently
faces many tests, most significantly having to deal with Manchester United
manager Erik ten Hag who clearly does not rate him, and a reduced standing
among opposition fans that makes for uncomfortable listening - for the neutrals
at least - when he plays.
The problem for
Southgate, and it will not go away, is that he is maintaining loyalty to a
player who is not playing for his club, not getting the tests and games that
will keep him sharp for what England expects will be a Euro 2024 campaign in
Germany next summer.
This is the crux of
this whole contentious matter.
Maguire, who rejected
the chance to get his club career going by failing to agree a move to West Ham
United, has made his bed at club level with that decision and time will tell if
it shapes his career at international level.
For now, though,
Southgate is not for turning.
Indeed, Southgate came
out fighting against Maguire's treatment in his post-match media briefing,
turning on those who have criticized him.
He said: "From a
Scotland fan's point of view I get it. I have absolutely no complaint with what
they did. It's a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period
of time.
"It's a joke.
I've never known a player treated the way he is. Not by the Scottish fans but
by our own commentators, pundits, or whatever it is. They've created something
that's beyond anything I've ever seen."
Southgate's loyalty to
Maguire is admirable in some respects, as is his stout defense of a player who
has served him so well, but it may be unsustainable.
England's win
delivered another factor into Southgate's future selection equation in the
composed performance of Brighton's Lewis Dunk, who was comfortable on the ball,
powerful in the air, and made several key interceptions on the very few
occasions Scotland threatened.
This was a chance for
the 31-year-old to state his England case and he did it very eloquently to
increase competition in Southgate's defensive areas.
If Maguire is a man
who now faces a constant fight to prolong his England career, Hampden Park bore
witness to a player with a golden future in front of him in Jude Bellingham
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