Fresh off an excellent performance against the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, Declan Rice is ready for a more physical challenge in the form of the Scotland midfield.
Rice and midfield partners Kalvin Phillips and Mason Mount won the battle against Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic as England ran out 1-0 winners over Croatia.
England were allowed a short celebration for the win against Croatia but with a big clash on the horizon, the Three Lions will not be dwelling long on the victory.
"We’re buzzing. Steve Holland said after the game that we can enjoy tonight but tomorrow [Monday] we have to crack on," Rice said.
Next up for Rice and co. is the visit of Scotland to Wembley in a game the West Ham man has picked out as a career highlight.
"The game on Friday will probably go down in our careers as one of the most memorable games you will ever play," he said. "We know the history with Scotland. We know the type of game it will be. We want to focus on the Scotland game and repeat the same performance.
"They’ve got some top players who play in the Premier League. Che Adams, John McGinn and Scott [McTominay] in the middle are two warriors and Andy Robertson and [Kieran] Tierney at the back are great leaders and players.
"We are not going into it and say it is going to be easy because that will be wrong. They are going to come and be physical and we need to match that and do more. We need to be ready and we will be ready."
Rice was in fine form against Croatia and it was his selfless role as the defensive midfielder that provided the platform for Phillips and Mount to push further forward.
Phillips was instrumental in the game's only goal with a driving run before slipping Raheem Sterling in to score the winner.
The Leeds United midfielder gave credit to Rice for the partnership they have formed in the heart of the England midfield.
"I love playing with Declan [Rice]," Phillips said. "I love playing in that role where I have licence to go forward and I know that Declan is behind me backing me up if I ever get beat. It is an honour playing with Declan and the rest of the team."
