Has Lewis Dunk done enough to keep his England place?

Was Gareth Southgate looking at Lewis Dunk at Hampden Park to assess his back-up options?

Or has the Albion skipper played his way into England’s first XI when competitive action resumes?

Dunk excelled defensively and with the ball as he helped his country beat Scotland 3-1 on Tuesday.

Almost five years on from his international debut, he really announced himself on the international stage.

In theory there was no reason why he shouldn’t have done.

The opposition was not of a superior standard to what he faces in the Premier League.

The atmosphere was hostile and intense but Dunk has played in loud stadia.

What those of us who have not played professional sport do not know is how much an atmosphere in the stands affects a high-level performer on the pitch.

Playing for your country, with so many eyes on you, may well make it a tougher test.

Knowing this might be your one and only chance – that there isn’t another game next Saturday – might increase the pressure, up the stakes.

But the biggest surprise was probably that Dunk started rather than what he did when given the chance.

There were some very solid moments of defending, some strong headers and a notable block.

Of course, there was a chest back to the keeper when a cross came in.

But what also stood out was his passing and confidence to receive and play the ball.

Not Hollywood passes. Simple stuff. He played it just as he does for Roberto De Zerbi’s Albion and it helped England stretch the game more than was the case against Ukraine.

He is a different player now to five years ago.

There was a moment against the USA at Wembley when it looked like he was maybe trying to force things with an ambitious long pass which was misdirected and led to a rare goalscoring chance for the opposition.

That was not the case at Hampden Park. With like-minded individuals around him, he looked very confident in what he was doing and enjoyed pulling off into wide and deep pockets to receive the ball.

So what happens next? England’s next match is also a friendly when they meet Australia at Wembley next month.

Four days later there is Euro 2024 qualifying action beneath the arch against current champions Italy.

That Italy game must be the target as England arguably look for one or two missing pieces for the Euro finals.

One is a centre-back alongside John Stones once he is fit.

One would like to think the successful candidate has to be a strong defender but also someone who, like Dunk, is happy with the ball at his feet.

England have so much talent and they need players who can help create space for them by being good on the ball in their own right.

Dunk fits that bill – and can play in left or right-sided berths.

Elsewhere, there is possibly a midfield vacancy if Phil Foden is not playing in that more central role rather than on the wing.

That means a player to go in with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

But otherwise England have the parts to (dare one even say it?) challenge for honours.

It is possible to have some mixed feelings over Dunk’s display in that it suggested he should have been there earlier.

That time has been wasted in his international career.

The one caveat to that could be that he is a more complete player now, under De Zerbi’s gameplan, than he was a year or two ago.

But, following that train of thought, there could be even better to come.

He will keep improving under De Zerbi and there is a new frontier ahead.

European club football for the first time is on the horizon, which offers new tests and opponents.

When Albion’s captain walked out at Glasgow on Tuesday he was better prepared than he had ever been to shine with the Three Lions on his chest.

He will be even better prepared next time Southgate selects a team.

So let’s see what it all means – especially when the Euro qualifiers resume and RDZ’s compatriots come to London.