England show their ‘character’ as Kane snatches late draw against Scotland

England manager Gareth Southgate insists England’s injury-time equaliser against Scotland is a "big moment" for the team, as they finally proved they have character.

England were trailing 2-1 at Hampden Park as two late free-kicks from Leigh Griffiths had put them on course for a shock defeat, the first in 35 qualifying matches.

But captain Harry Kane volleyed an equaliser four minutes into added time to salvage a 2-2 draw and keep England in pole position to qualify from Group F for the World Cup.

Southgate told Sky Sports: "To come back from 2-1 down with the whole stadium bouncing and the memories that might have brought for the team, they put that to one side and they came through it.

"It’s a big moment for the team. We have questioned character and they’ve shown character today."

Two late free-kicks from Griffiths (87, 90) looked to have earned the home side a sensational victory in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier, after substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had opened the scoring 20 minutes from time.

Kane’s late response was cruel for Scotland, whose supporters had been vociferously celebrating a thrilling turnaround, meaning they remain in fourth place on eight points with four matches still to play.

Kane, who was handed the captaincy for the first time by Gareth Southgate, proved to be the hero for England but might have scored with the best chance of the first half when his lob was cleared off the line with Scotland keeper Craig Gordon beaten.

That was the closest either side got in the first half, but Jake Livermore was inches away from breaking the deadlock five minutes after the break, when the midfielder’s shot deflected onto a post.

The game had disappointed for long spells in the June sunshine in Glasgow but was sparked into life when Oxlade-Chamberlain, introduced by Southgate only moments earlier, opened the scoring on 70 minutes.

But Gordon Strachan’s side were level after Griffiths struck a brilliant equaliser direct from a free-kick with three minutes left.

And the noise level was cranked up even further three minutes later when Griffiths repeated the trick from another long-range free-kick, putting his side in sight of a priceless victory.

But there was to be more drama when Gordon punched away Dier’s injury-time free-kick and Scotland conceded possession as they tried to counter.

Sterling’s left-wing cross found Kane on the edge of the six-yard box and he volleyed past Gordon to keep England in pole position to qualify automatically for the World Cup.

(c) Sky News 2017: England show their ‘character’ as Kane snatches late draw against Scotland