You couldn’t have slipped a fiver between England and Scotland after their Wembley stalemate which kept alive our Euro 2020 hopes.
But there was certainly a big difference when it came to the gulf in the transfer fees shelled out for the players on display.
And The Sun’s ‘Och aye the who?’ headline came back to bite them after dismissing Steve Clarke’s squad on the week he announced his pool.
There is such a contrast in the finances available on both sides of the border which has grown during the English Premier League era.
While the Scottish Premiership’s TV income is £36 million the pot for the English top flight next season will be in excess of £2 billion.
But at international level, Scotland’s fighting spirit is often a leveller and that was the case in dreich London town on Friday night.
Stephen O’Donnell was a free agent 10 months ago after choosing to leave Kilmarnock before opting to join Motherwell and was phenomenal at Wembley as he answered his critics.
Contrast that with someone like Raheem Sterling in Gareth Southgate’s side who moved to Manchester City in a then record-breaking £49million deal.
Here, Record Sport Online looks at the transfer fees paid for the respective starting XIs:
SCOTLAND
David Marshall (free)
Scotland No. 1 moved to Derby County last season after Wigan Athletic dropped to League One and the financially-crippled Latics moved on their big earners.
Stephen O’Donnell (free)
Right back took the decision to leave Kilmarnock last season and Motherwell must be rubbing their hands after offering him a deal and he recently signed two-year extension.
Grant Hanley (£3.5 million)
Norwich City skipper was a rock in defence for Scotland and was a snip for the Canaries after joining from Newcastle United four years ago.
Scott McTominay (Academy)
Manchester United man came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford where he has now become one of the main men for Red Devils.
Kieran Tierney (£25 million)
The Arsenal man is the most expensive Scottish footballer but at Premier League prices has proved a bargain buy for the Gunners.
Andy Robertson (£8 million)
Scotland skipper has been a steal for Liverpool after progressing into one of the best left backs in the world and helping them to Champions League and Premier League glory.
John McGinn (£2 million)
Celtic have lived to regret not stumping up the cash to Hibs for the midfielder and then Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce described it as his best ever bit of business as a manager.
Callum McGregor (Academy)
Experienced midfielder came through the youth ranks at Celtic and has become a multiple trophy winner.
Billy Gilmour (£500,000)
Chelsea moved quickly to land the classy former Rangers midfielder and only had to shell out an initial development fee but showed he will be a real star of the future with display on full international debut.
Lyndon Dykes (£2 million)
Aussie-born striker plays his club football in London now after move from Livingston to QPR with former Rangers boss Mark Warburton taking him to Loftus Road.
Che Adams (£15 million)
Striker is the second most expensive player from Scotland’s starting line-up after Southampton signed him from Birmingham.
Total cost Scotland starting XI - £56 million
ENGLAND
Jordan Pickford (£30 million)
The 27-year-old became the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time when he moved to Everton from Sunderland.
Luke Shaw (£30 million)
Manchester United paid a then world record fee for a teenager when the defender was signed from Southampton.
John Stones (£50 million)
Manchester City man became the second most expensive defender in the world behind David Luiz when he moved to the Etihad from Everton.
Tyrone Mings (£20 million)
Impressed on an initial loan deal from Bournemouth which persuaded Aston Villa to splash big money on the stopper.
Reece James (Academy)
The youngster came through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge and has had a loan spell at Wigan Athletic before breaking into Chelsea's top team.
Declan Rice (Academy)
Another who has come through the youth ranks at a Premier League club after joining West Ham from Chelsea at the age of 14.
Kalvin Phillips (Academy)
Rising star at International level but also an academy graduate at hometown club Leeds United.
Raheem Sterling (£50 million)
Manchester City were determined to get their man in 2014 after a tight title race with Liverpool and had to shell out a record transfer fee for an English player to get him from Anfield.
Mason Mount (Academy)
Champions League winner and team-mate of Billy Gilmour at Stamford Bridge where he also came through the ranks.
Phil Foden (Academy)
Rising star of English football came through the system at Manchester City but subbed at Wembley after a frustrating night.
Harry Kane (Academy)
The Three Lions captain is likely to move on for upwards of nine figures this summer but is a product of Tottenham's youth academy.
