[1][2] Scotland had failed to win either of their previous matches in the 1928 British Home Championship, losing 1–0 to Ireland at Hampden Park and drawing 2–2 with Wales in Wrexham.

[4][note 1] The two sides for that game, a 1–1 draw on 13 March, were as follows:[5][2] Home Scots: Jack Harkness (Queen's Park); Dougie Gray (Rangers), Willie McStay (captain, Celtic); James Kennedy (Falkirk), Alex Lambie (Partick Thistle), Tully Craig (Rangers); Peter Gavigan (St Johnstone), Stewart Chalmers (Queen's Park), David McCrae (St Mirren), Bob McPhail (Airdrieonians), Adam McLean (Celtic).

[3] The selection came as a surprise and caused much controversy, as regulars Davie Meiklejohn, Jimmy McGrory, Bob McPhail and Willie McStay were omitted.

[3] Tom Bradshaw had been picked to make his international debut; he would have the unenviable task of marking Dixie Dean, the prolific Everton goalscorer.

[3][2] The Scottish players stayed at the Regent Palace hotel, where the captain Jimmy McMullan said: "The [SFA] President (Robert Campbell)[6] wants us to discuss football but you all know what's expected of you tomorrow.

[1][3] Scotland immediately responded; Alan Morton received the ball on the left wing and crossed for Alex Jackson to head in the opening goal after just three minutes.

[1][3][2] The performances of Morton and Jackson on the wings forced English defenders wide to combat them, which left space for Dunn, Gallacher and James to exploit.

[3] A resolute performance by the English defence kept Scotland at bay for most of the first half, but with just one minute remaining before half-time, Alex James beat Ted Hufton in the England goal with a left-foot shot.

[1] The third Scottish goal, 20 minutes into the second half, was similar to their first, as Morton took the ball almost to the corner flag before sending over another precision cross which Jackson met with his head.

The Glasgow Herald was a typical example when they said: "Want of height was looked upon as a handicap to the Scots' attack, but the Scottish forwards had the ability and skill of such high degree as to make their physical shortcomings of little consequence."

It doesn’t pay and I don’t know why they pursue it.It was a gentlemanly comment, as he did not belittle the English effort or try to elevate his own side to the abnormal, but merely made an observation which was probably just about right.

Alan Morton, Glasgow Rangers' Wee Blue Devil, and Alex Jackson, then with Huddersfield and later with Chelsea, were on the Scottish wings and the English defenders just couldn’t do anything about them.