Scotland boss backing Ikechi Anya to hit the big time

SCOTLAND manager Gordon Strachan says Ikechi Anya has the talent to star for Celtic or light up the English Premier League.

 Anya savours his magnificent goal against Germany [GETTY]

The Watford winger ripped Germany’s defence to shreds and then fired past Manuel Neuer – arguably the world’s best keeper – during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat in Dortmund.

The goal was just reward for Scotland, who were unlucky not to bring home a point from the opening Euro 2016 qualifier.

But Strachan is baffled as to why star man Anya is still playing in England’s second tier when his international performances have been first-class.

Ex-Hoops boss Strachan, who has managerial experience in the English top flight with Coventry and Southampton, said: “He could go to Celtic or to a club in the English Premier League no bother.

“He can play different positions too which makes him even more valuable.

“He can play on the left as he did against Germany, he can play on the right side or he can even play left-back. He has a love for the game which is so refreshing. He’s worked so hard to get to where he is right now that he doesn’t want to lose it.

“The coaching staff scratch our heads at times and wonder why he is not playing in the English Premier League.

“It’s not mugs he’s playing against here – it’s Germany, Croatia, Belgium and England. Macedonia were no mugs either and he scored against them too.

He can play different positions too which makes him even more valuable.

Gordon Strachan

“The goal he scored was ridiculously composed.

“When he was running through, I thought, ‘Right, you’ve just sprinted for 30 yards and now you’re up against the best goalie in the world.

“But he stuck it away as if it was in a training game. The ball hasn’t trickled into the back of the net either, he knew exactly what he was doing.”

Scotland were shown no favours by controversial Norwegian referee Svein Oddvar Moen.

But Strachan explained why he refused to let rip after the match.

“As the international manager, you have to set some kind of standard,” he said.

“It’s not like being a club manager because if you say something you shouldn’t then you embarrass the SFA and the whole country.

“But when I look back on some of the things that went on in Germany it only confirms what we thought on the night. On a different day some of these decisions would have gone for us.”

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