ENGLAND take on Scotland at Wembley today (Saturday) with the whole nation sending out a message to striker Alan Shearer: Give them hell!

Shearer, steeling himself for a clash of the Ewood Park titans with club-mate Colin Hendry, accepted: "You must be strong because you'll be kicked, grabbed, scratched and nipped.

"Colin and I are friends, but for 90 minutes this afternoon we'll be enemies.

"That's part and parcel of the game."

Shearer, of course, ended his well-documented 21-month international scoring drought a week ago against Switzerland and admitted: "It was a great feeling, I can't deny it."

A goal against the Scots would be even more welcome, especially if it turned out to be the winner.

But Scotland defender Hendry issued a warning to Shearer and his side.

The blond braveheart Colin Hendry believes Scotland can blow a giant hole in England's Euro 96 hopes at Wembley this afternoon.

And he cites Wimbledon's David and Goliath victory over the mighty Liverpool as part of their Wembley inspiration.

Hendry knows England cannot contemplate defeat to Scotland after Holland's crushing 2-0 win over Villa Park on Thursday.

And after the Scots took a precious point from the Dutch he says the pressure is on the Euro' 96 hosts to deliver.

"I really feel Scotland wanted this match more than England," said Hendry with one eye on the quarter-finals.

"There is so much riding on the game and the atmosphere will be a real cauldron. Wembley will be no place for the faint-hearted."

Hendry added: "I went to the draw and you could sense it was going to come out this way. There were a lot of players there, Scottish and English, and I know the Scots wanted it more.

"And I am not trying to be over-respectful to England, or disrespectful to us, when I say that it's a little bit like Wimbledon v Liverpool in the FA Cup final.

"Anything could, and did, happen."

The clash between Shearer and Hendry could have a decisive influence on the outcome of the match.

Hendry feels there will be a winner, and of course a loser, but he still hopes the pair will be swapping shirts in traditional fashion at the end, with mutual respect maintained between two great Ewood players.

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