England beat auld enemy Scotland 3-1 in a friendly at Celtic Park as Wayne Rooney nets twice to move a step closer to Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record.

Wayne Rooney has led England to a 3-1 friendly win over Scotland with a double which takes him to within three of Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record.

The Three Lions skipper added to a first-half header from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shortly after the break before Andy Robertson pulled one back late on.

However, Rooney quickly killed off the Scotland comeback with his 46th international goal, which secured the visitors victory against their auld enemy at Celtic Park.

Wayne Rooney of England celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the International Friendly match between Scotland and England at Celtic Park Stadium on November 18, 2014 © Getty Images

The hosts came into the game full of confidence following a resurgence under Gordon Strachan which continued with three points against the Republic of Ireland in Euro 2016 qualifying on Friday, but it was England who were on top from the first whistle.

Stewart Downing, making his first international start in over two years, delivered an early corner from which Gary Cahill nodded high and wide, and England were gifted more chances by Scottish mistakes.

Several times Rooney and Danny Welbeck broke away after the Scots conceded possession, with the former finding his teammate on one occasion for a left-footed strike that was straight at David Marshall.

Welbeck's Arsenal colleagues were on the same wavelength for England's goal as Jack Wilshere perfectly spotted the run of Oxlade-Chamberlain, and his glancing header sneaked inside the post on 32 minutes.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of England celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the International Friendly match between Scotland and England at Celtic Park Stadium on November 18, 2014 © Getty Images

The full-backs were Scotland's best attacking weapons. Steven Whittaker twice had long-range efforts blocked, and one Robertson raid down the left ended in a cross which just evaded Scott Brown.

Celtic keeper Craig Gordon made his first Scotland appearance in four years as a half-time substitute, but he was picking the ball out of his net within two minutes of the restart as Rooney got his first.

The Manchester United forward surpassed Jimmy Greaves's England tally of 44 by powering a header into the bottom corner, after the ball had bobbled off several bodies and looped in his direction.

Wayne Rooney of England scores his team's second goal during the International Friendly match between Scotland and England at Celtic Park Stadium on November 18, 2014 © Getty Images

Fraser Forster was forced into his first save on 51 minutes when he tipped over a Russell Martin flick, but England remained a threat too and Chris Smalling missed an unmarked header at the back stick.

Substitute Johnny Russell provided Scotland with fresh energy and he linked up smartly with Robertson for a well-worked goal which galvanised the Glasgow crowd and set up a potentially exciting finish.

Andrew Robertson of Scotland celebrates scoring their first goal during the International Friendly between Scotland and England at Celtic Park Stadium on November 18, 2014 © Getty Images

A one-two in an advanced position on the left flank cut England open as Raheem Sterling allowed Robertson to go unchecked into the area, and the Hull City youngster slotted past Forster at the near post.

Hopes of a Scottish comeback lasted all of three minutes, though, as Sterling, Rickie Lambert, and James Milner all combined to release Adam Lallana, whose cutback supplied Rooney for a simple finish.

Wayne Rooney of England celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the International Friendly match between Scotland and England at Celtic Park Stadium on November 18, 2014 © Getty Images