LEIGH Griffiths sent Scots around the world into dreamland, for a few glorious minutes at least, when he whipped two long-range free-kicks beyond Joe Hart in a Russia 2018 qualifier against England at Hampden back in 2017.

Gareth Southgate, though, still has nightmares about the Celtic striker’s sensational late double to this day.

An injury-time Harry Kane strike might have earned his team a 2-2 draw in the last meeting between the two age-old rivals four years ago.

Yet, Southgate can still recall the despair that he felt when England, who had taken the lead when Alex Oxlade Chamberlain had netted in the second-half and looked all set to record a narrow victory, suddenly fell behind out of nowhere.

His country’s fans, on a high after a hard-fought but richly-deserved victory over World Cup finalists Croatia in their opening Euro 2020 group game on Sunday, may expect Harry Kane and his team mates to record a comfortable victory this evening and book their last 16 with a game to spare. But their manager is taking nothing for granted.

“I still see those goals going in my sleep sometimes,” he said. “They were two incredible free kicks. Anything can happen in a football and you have to react. We did that day. We came back to get the draw. When we’ve gone behind in matches, we’ve found a way to win or get draws.

“We know that any team can score against you. They can have those moments. The moments of quality from that day can be replicated tomorrow. We have to be prepared for anything. The way we react to setbacks is crucial.”

The news that Kieran Tierney has shrugged off a calf injury and will be in the Scotland starting line-up to face England in their second Group D match at Wembley this evening has made former centre half Southgate even more wary. 

“I’m not surprised,” he said. “I expected him to be fit. I think him and Andy Robertson form a very good partnership down that side of the field for Scotland. Their build-up play, their ability to put a lot of crosses into box, is excellent.

“We know they’ve got some very good players. They’ve got players playing in Scotland and we know the players in EPL area at a very high level. So we we certainly don’t underestimate the challenge. We have to focus on what we do.”

Southgate was on the field when England last played Scotland in the European Championship at Euro ’96 some 25 years ago – and marvelled as his team mate Paul Gascoigne conjured up a moment of magic with 11 minutes remaining to put them 2-0 ahead and wrap up victory.

He hopes that his players can produce the same sort of wonder strike as Gazza’s – which has been shown repeatedly by broadcasters down south in the build-up to this encounter – this evening and in Phil Foden, Kane, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling he has gifted individuals who are more than capable of doing so.

“It was a fantastic occasion, a full stadium,” he said. “We had drawn our first match, not played particularly well. We didn’t play particularly well in the first-half against Scotland and they had just missed a penalty to make it 1-1.

“There was the euphoria of going 2-0 ahead, which looked as if it would be enough, and then the quality of the goal, which was outstanding. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most memorable days for me with England, because it was wrapped up in an incredible tournament experience.”

Southgate added: “For me, it’s always about creating those moments for our fans. There are two parts of the job as manager. One is to get best out of players, to help them achieve. The second is to create moments the fans enjoy, days when they go home celebrating and happy.

“There’s not a lot else that matters in terms of the job. We know what it would mean to our supporters to win this one. It would build excitement and anticipation for games to come. So it’s high on our priority list.”

England captain Kane admitted the goal he scored in the 93rd minute against Scotland to earn his team a draw at Hampden back in 2017 was one of the most memorable of his career and confessed he would dearly like to do so again.

“That was one of my favourite goals I have scored in an England shirt, for sure,” he said. “It is one of my favourite goals. It was my first game as captain of England as well, so it holds a special place in my heart.

“The atmosphere that day was incredible. The noise after Scotland went 2-1 up was crazy. Then all of a sudden for us to score and hear the away fans was a great feeling. Of course, it’d be great to be able to do that again if it means try to win and help the team.”

But the Spurs forward, like his manager, is acutely aware of what Steve Clarke’s men are capable of. “From my point of view and the team’s point of view, we have huge respect for Scotland,” he said. “I think they are a very good side with a lot of great and experienced players.

“The likes of Andy Robertson who has won Champions and Premier Leagues and plays at one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are a top side. From our point of view, we hugely respect them.”