England vs Scotland: Gareth Southgate insists his mind is on winning at Wembley not the Three Lions job
Interim boss has two more games against Scots and Spain to stake his claim for full-time job
GARETH SOUTHGATE has made it clear his focus is on beating Scotland and not on whether he will get the England job full-time.
Interim Three Lions boss Southgate was put in charge for four games following the departure of Sam Allardyce after only 67 days in the job.
He was drafted in from his role as Under-21 boss to steady the ship for the World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.
A 2-0 win against the Maltese and a goaless draw in Ljubljana have left question marks over whether Southgate is ready for the senior job.
FA chiefs will make their decision after this Friday's World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday and a friendly with Spain next Tuesday.
Southgate was asked at his press conference at St George's Park if he is thinking about getting the job long-term and worried that a loss will damage his chances.
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He replied: "I'm not even considering the result going wrong.
"I am leading the country into a prestigious game and am not thinking beyond that match.
"I was asked to take four matches and I have got another two really exciting matches and I am looking forward to that.
"I have enjoyed it all and what happens to me is not important, it is about the team.
"I want to leave the team and country on top of group at the end of Friday night, that is my only focus."
"It is about us preparing to beat Scotland and leaving the team at the top of the group. That's my only focus."
England go into the match with Scotland top of Group F, with Scotland fourth, following a 3-0 defeat in Slovakia in their last match.
But with the history between the two sides, there is not chance that Southgate will be taking Gordon Strachan's side lightly.
He added: "Whatever happened with their results, it does not reflect their performances.
"Their mentality for a game like this is unquestionable and they have unquestionable spirit.
"We will have to better that and outplay them to win the game.
"We have to have emotional control going into the game.
"It is important our players have an understanding of the history of the game.
"It is the oldest international fixture. We will make sure if the players don't know about it, that they are made aware of it in the early part of the week."