Scotland host England in friendly

The Football Association has issued an apology after a section of England's supporters chanted an anti-IRA song throughout the first-half of Tuesday's international in Scotland.

A spokesman for the FA said: “We apologise for any offence caused by a section of the England support at the match with Scotland. The FA does not condone inappropriate and offensive chanting and intends to meet with supporters’ groups to discuss the wider issues.

“We have consistently urged supporters to show respect and not to chant songs that could be regarded as insulting to others - particularly from a religious or political perspective.

“With regard to the supporters’ band, there was contact during the match once the situation became clear. This is consistent with regular dialogue that takes place between the band and The FA.

“In also apologising, the band have given an explanation and confirmed they in no way endorse the chanting that occurred.”?

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Despite a bitter soccer rivalry spanning more than a century, and a bumpy political landscape in recent months, Scotland and England's first clash since the Scots narrowly voted to remain within the UK passed off peacefully on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said there had been 26 arrests, including seven in the Celtic Park stadium.

The last time England played in Glasgow in 1999 there was widespread mayhem with more than 200 people arrested.

This time around, however, the highly visible police presence throughout the city centre prevented trouble.

"The whole day went very well. There were minor incidents throughout the day but very, very few arrests," a spokesman for Police Scotland told Reuters. "We've had no major incidents within the city area, and the match passed off very peaceably."

The only sour note on an otherwise peaceful night came from a section of the England fans who chanted anti-IRA songs during the first half.

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The leader of England's band was "unaware" of anti-IRA chants from England fans inside Celtic Park on Tuesday.

The FA were forced to contact the band during last night's international friendly between Scotland and England to prevent them from assisting with the offensive chant.

John Hemmingham, who formed England's band 21 years ago, told Press Assocation:

"We were absolutely not aware of it. All the fans around us were singing ’Follow England Away’. It was only when a band member saw on Twitter that some people were saying we were playing anti-IRA songs that we became aware. Then we immediately stopped and played something else.”

• Watch highlights of Scotland 1-3 England

England will play glamour friendlies against world champions Germany and France in the build-up to Euro 2016.

The Football Association announced on Wednesday that the Three Lions will host France on November 17 next year, and it also confirmed England will play a friendly in Germany in March 2016.

Negotiations are also under way regarding potential pre-Euro 2016 friendlies against Holland and Spain.

The FA has already announced fixtures against Italy for March next year and a fixture against the Republic of Ireland at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on June 7.

• Watch highlights of Scotland 1-3 England

A pair of goals from captain Wayne Rooney helped England to a 3-1 win over their oldest rivals Scotland at Celtic Park.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain headed England in front in the 32nd minute and Rooney added a second two minutes into the second half.

Andy Robertson threatened to set up a frantic finish with an 82nd minute strike for Scotland, but Rooney settled it almost immediately after.

Watch highlights of Scotland 1-3 England

Thousands of football fans flocked to Celtic Park tonight as Scotland take on the Auld Enemy England on home turf for the first time in 15 years.

About 5,000 England supporters were expected to attend the friendly match in Glasgow, the latest instalment in the oldest fixture in international football.

There was a heightened police presence around the stadium, transport hubs and city centre but no reports of any football-related disorder as the 8pm kick-off approached.

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Scott Brown believes England's "sense of superiority" will fire up Scotland for tonight's international clash at Celtic Park.

Speaking to the Daily Record, Scotland's captain said:

"We know the English really don't bother about us - they couldn't care less about Scottish football.

"To be fair to them, they might not even realise they are doing it. But they have this sense of superiority that comes with thinking how much better they are than us. And that's why we go into a game like this absolutely bursting to prove a point."

• Watch Scotland v England live on ITV

Ahead of Scotland's clash with England this evening, we collected the pre-match thoughts of supporters from both nations in Glasgow today.

You can watch Scotland v England live on ITV