Potential England clash will ‘motivate’ Scotland to qualify for World Cup

Former Scotland international James McFadden believes the prospect of facing England will only add to the motivations for Steve Clarke’s side.

The draw for this year’s finals in Qatar delivered the prospect of an Auld Enemy encounter on November 29 – a day before the 150th anniversary of the first meeting of the teams in football’s first international.

World Cup draw throws England into a group of complications

Scotland have a major task in getting to the Middle East with a delayed play-off semi-final against Ukraine pencilled in for June and a potential final against Wales in Cardiff to follow.

But confidence is high following an unbeaten eight-match run, which included six consecutive qualifying wins.

Scotland impressed in a 0-0 draw at Wembley in the European Championship finals last June but lacked a cutting edge.

Lyndon Dykes has since scored in four consecutive appearances and Che Adams has grown in stature in the international arena.

And McFadden is filled with optimism ahead of Scotland’s final qualification push.

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