Glasgow (AFP) – Jude Bellingham said the booing of the English national anthem by Scotland fans helped inspire the Three Lions to a 3-1 win in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Despite being a friendly to mark the 150th anniversary of football's oldest international fixture, the animosity between the two sets of supporters was on show before a ball was kicked.
God Save the King was drowned out by the home support before a minute's silence for former Scotland boss Craig Brown was then disrupted by the away fans. "When you do that to the right team it can really get under their skin," said Bellingham on the national anthem disruption.
"Today we were so poised, so calm and composed that it actually kind of boosted us and gave us a real lift going into the game. "We're all really proud to represent our country so it's important we showed that in a game like today."
Once the action got underway, Bellingham stole the show as the Real Madrid midfielder scored England's second goal and brilliantly set up his side's third for Harry Kane. The 20-year-old has now scored six times in as many games for club and country this season after a flying start to his career with the Spanish giants.
"I'm always learning. I'm so lucky to have played with so many great players at my last club and even more so at my new club, so it's a big boost for me for my own confidence," he added. "I'm trying to add more attributes to my game, perfect the ones I've got and keep being effective in front of goal."