Harry Kane's injury-time equaliser spared England's embarrassment after Scotland threatened to secure a dramatic victory in their World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park.
Kane's goal was the Tottenham Hotspur striker's sixth in 18 worldwide appearances and came at the end of his first game under Southgate, after injuries had kept him out of England's six previous matches. Scotland defended the first threat well and even looked to have a promising counter-attack on their hands, but they lost possession and switched off at the back, and they were punished for it. These [England] guys are giants, they play at a different level to most of us and they kept coming back. I've seen Scotland's best-ever free-kick - and then Scotland's second best-ever free kick right after it.
"You don't often see people push themselves to another level and that is where they pushed themselves today to get a result for this country".
"It is fundamental to being a top team but it is only one step in that direction, we can still improve in all areas, we all know that, but nevertheless it is a significant moment I think", he said.
"It's one of those balls in between me and Charlie and it's at a good height that maybe Craiggy could have come out, but all three of us have got to look at ourselves that we could have done a bit better".
There had been little warning of what was to come during a largely uninspiring encounter that only started to warm up once English substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had given the visitors a 1-0 lead on 70 minutes. We should have been further ahead, but if you don't get the second goal you can be punished. Find us on Facebook too! "We knew it was going to be tough away from home, global qualifier, Scotland are doing everything to stay in the World Cup".
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But considering that the home team has gone only 44-41 during the playoffs this year, running the table at home is a bit unsual. A goose egg in the win column that will obviously have to change if the Preds are to capture their first ever Stanley Cup .
"But we played a team with five at the back, tried to frustrate which is understandable from their point of view".
England goalkeeper Joe Hart, whose Manchester City future remains in limbo following a loan spell at Torino, got nowhere near either shot, by Southgate absolved him of blame.
"I am disappointed but it's important we have that never-say-die attitude".
"We did that and it was a real quality finish under pressure to get the point". We know how good this England side are.
The first proper chance came on 17 minutes when Kane - skippering England for the first time - beat the offside trap with lovely control inside Kieran Tierney, but blasted a left-footed half volley over the bar. His range of passing impressed, he posed one of the few threats to Craig Gordon's goal and he was the one barking instructions and leading the team when Scottish pressure was at its height.
Strachan also hailed his team's character as fourth-placed Scotland missed the chance to inflict a first Hampden defeat on England since 1985 while dropping two Group F points.
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