Pat Nevin reckons there’s only one Scotland player who would walk into the England team – Kieran Tierney.
The former Scotland winger didn’t even mention skipper Andy Robertson when posed the question of which of Steve Clarke’s side would improve the Three Lions.
Which makes it all the more worrying that Arsenal star Tierney is touch and go for the Wembley battle with the Auld Enemy.
The ex-Celtic ace was sorely missed for Scotland in the 2-0 defeat to Czech Republic that saw our Euro 2020 Group D campaign get off to a false start.
Steve Clarke admitted on Tuesday the 24-year-old was a serious doubt for the key match to Scotland’s hopes of qualifying.
Nevin hasn’t dismissed our chances and reckons the best chances of a Wembley upset is for Scotland to go toe-to-toe and make it a square go.
But having Tierney on the left side of the back three would give those hopes a major boost.
He said: “I have no doubt that Kieran Tierney would start for England, he's one of the best in the business in world football in that position and I've rated him since before he turned up at Arsenal.
“After Tierney, it's a struggle. McTominay could maybe push Declan Rice, but it's a big argument.
“John McGinn for periods of time when he's at his very best could be in and around the squad, but there are so many quality players in the England team in that position ahead of him.
"Then it gets tough. Che Adams is Scotland's best technical sticker and he plays for Scotland because he can't get a game for England!
“Scotland have good players playing at the top level of English football and that means they can go and be competitive - and that's what Scotland can be in this game against England.
“England at the moment have another golden generation and this is a team that has every chance of reaching the latter stages of this competition.
"If Tierney is back, that makes a massive difference and the fans would get a big boost from him starting - he's the player that the fans want back.
“They know he is a world-class player, he was really missed in the first game.
“It's not just that he's a player in the back three, he plays it out from the back and he does a brilliant job overlapping alongside Andy Robertson, they have a great understanding on the left-hand side.
“You want good footballers and Scotland do have some very good footballers who didn't start against the Czech Republic.
"I think Scotland need to start with Che Adams, because he's technically our best striker - he'll hold it up better and link up play better than anybody else - it's not his favourite position to play on his own because he usually plays alongside Danny Ings, but Adams has to start and they can build it from there."
Nevin insists Scotland have to make the game a battle - and he has no doubt his old Chelsea mate Clarke will have them set-up to do just that.
Playing England at their own game won’t work due to the quality at Gareth Southgate’s disposal.
But with big hearts and even bigger lungs Nevin says Scotland can take something from the game to keep our hopes of qualifying alive.
He said: “People talk about England's weakness at centre-back but centre-forward is the area where Scotland have struggled, scoring goals - so it's going to be hard.
“I think Southgate will make a lot of changes without weakening themselves, like starting Rashford and Reece James.
“There is only one way Scotland can get at England, and it's with battle, fight and spirit.
“In the past, that's got Scotland a long way, even when they play against England, and that's where Scotland will have to say whatever happens they meet them head-on, run as far as they do, tackle as hard as England and chase as hard as them.
“If they do all that, they've got a chance. Scotland will do that.
"What Clake will do is to make sure the team knows who their man is and tackle him and have a manic one-on-one battle that if you work hard and you can stop them.
“If you're in England's faces and stop their extra-special players being as good as they can, that will give Scotland a chance. It's a big outside chance, though.
“The possibility of a draw is there for Scotland, it's still a long-shot and if they get a point at Wembley they go to the last game against Croatia at Hampden Park needing to win to go through, I think most Scotland fans will take that."
The clamour for Billy Gilmour to be brought in to the starting XI has only grown after the Czech defeat.
Nevin is one of the 20-year-old playmaker’s biggest fans having watched him closely at Chelsea.
And he is adamant the youngster wouldn’t be fazed at Wembley.
He told bettingexpert.com :”I wouldn't expect him to start, but I wouldn't be disappointed if he does.
“Scotland will need a three-man midfield against England, so is it McGinn and McTominay - who are both very important players for Scotland - alongside Armstrong.
“Trying to fit a place in there for Billy Gilmour to play is hard, considering that he is just new on the scene with Scotland. He is good enough, I've seen every minute he's played in a Chelsea shirt and he'll be fine.
“He'll walk onto the big stage at Wembley and not be fazed by it.
“I think Scotland need to try and keep the ball and find time during the game where they're not chasing shadows - if so, they would need Gilmour on the field to do that because he can keep it as well as anybody else in the team.
"Steve knows how good he is and has done for some time, but he doesn't want to rush it. People shouldn't be given international caps on a whim, and you have to remember that Gilmour wasn't playing every week for Chelsea, there's quite a good midfield there!
“When Thomas Tuchel had a good look at Gilmour he thought he was okay and trusts him. Eventually, he will be a starter for Chelsea, which is a big call considering that's a world class club.
“Clarke will do the same, he will watch him in training and he's had flutters with the first team and I wouldn't be surprised if either against England or the last game against Croatia he will play a big part in the game."
