Gordon Greer could miss out on a start against England tonight – because so many Scots fancy a crack at the old enemy.

The Albion skipper’s hopes of making the Scotland XI for their eagerly-awaited friendly appeared to take a nosedive when boss Gordon Strachan seemingly had a change of heart.

Strachan had been expected to switch things around for the Celtic Park showdown after seeing his side give their all to beat the Republic of Ireland in a Euro qualifier on Friday.

But sources north of the border were last night expecting him to make minimal changes after he admitted his first-choice players had told him they wanted a piece of the action.

Strachan said: “So many players want to play. There’s one or two lumps but it hasn’t affected anyone.

“It was kind of rub it and get on with it.

“I would love to give everybody the experience of playing in the game one way or another.

“I want to win the game as well.”

Greer has emerged as first back-up option in central defence when anything happens to split up the favoured pairing of Grant Hanley and Brighton-born Russell Martin.

Albion boss Sami Hyypia could have mixed feelings about seeing his captain pitched into a potentially bruising battle.

Hyypia is preparing for Saturday’s trip to Norwich City, for which Greer’s regular sidekick Lewis Dunk is suspended.

Dunk’s likely replacement Aaron Hughes appeared to come through Northern Ireland’s 2-0 defeat in Bucharest on Friday with no ill effects and earned high marks for his display.

He reports back to his club today determined to help them up the table.

Hughes said: "Having played in Romania my focus now is on helping Brighton.

“We haven't started the season as well as we had hoped but there are good players in the squad and the aim will be to climb the table.

"We have some really important games coming up and I know everyone will be determined to start winning on a consistent basis. Obviously I'm very determined to play my part in that."

Right-back Bruno is also expected to come back into the reckoning after a groin injury.