To be a Scot at Bramall Lane last night, watching the England Under-21s put six past counterparts incapable of retaliation, was to (a) fear further humiliation when the seniors meet tonight and (b) wonder what on earth happened to the English summer of youth crisis.
The truth is that (a), yes, it could be messy at Wembley tonight, when Gordon Strachan’s presence might prove little more than a reminder of what Scottish soil no longer yields, and (b) English alarm caused by various tournament failures is unnecessary.
The Scots would love their neighbours’ crisis. It is true that the attitude and quality of some footballing scholars tends — as in wider society — to suck in imports but this applies both north and south of the border and what sustains England is population. It is 11 times the greater and growing. It can afford its drop-out rate.
That enough class will come through to sustain the national team was evident in Sheffield. And there was encouragement to Premier League clubs willing to buy from the other 72: Nathan Redmond (above), on the right of the attack, and right-back John Stones look terrific additions to the squads of Norwich and Everton respectively.
Yet their transfers from Birmingham and Barnsley cost about only £3million each. Michael Keane cost Manchester United nothing yet could prove the best of the lot. A footballing central defender, he has the attributes of a new Rio Ferdinand.
Of course, Keane wasn’t much tested last night. So why did they all look so good? Maybe it was the Roy Hodgson factor. He should continue his dual role, for there is no better motivation for a senior than to know the manager is casting eyes over a younger model.
