WE’RE NOT SHORT ON ATTITUDE, SAYS ANYA

THE pattern of play was so direct, it must have felt like Wimbledon’s selfstyled crazy gang had been reborn in Emerald Green 25 years on.

The ferocity of the tackling was such that kicking-off after the 9pm watershed would have been more appropriate.

From Marti n O’ Neill ’ s perspective, it’s a good job UEFA do not offer bonus points t o competing nations f or artistic merit.

Unashamedly industrial and ever willing to dangle a leg over the thin line that separates bullishness from brutality, the Republic of Ireland evidently believed they could muscle their way to no less than a point at Parkhead.

For Ikechi Anya, one of several diminutive figures in Gordon Strachan’s side, a steadfast refusal to lie down to the intimidation from the not so jolly green giants from across the Irish Sea was key to the win that l eaves Scotland well placed in Group D.

‘I think everybody knows we

“We knew the game would be physical”

are not the biggest team,’ said the Watford winger.

‘We try to play to our strengths but when other teams are trying to impose themselves, we are up for that. That is part of the game and you need to do every part of the game whether that be physical or mental.

‘Ireland play to their strengths. They have a few big lads and they try to get the ball up to them.

‘Our defence was incredible and, when we managed to retain possession, we were brave on the ball — as the manager wants.

‘We knew it would be physical. We had a game-plan. Andy Robertson is not the biggest but Charlie Mulgrew was brilliant by helping him out.

‘He jumped with him, won a few in the air, which helped set the tone. Luckily for us, we got the three points.’

Normally the most effervescent of characters even in defeat, Anya uncharacteristically opted to rein himself in when assessing t he f ull i mpact of Shaun Maloney’s goal.

Sticking with the well-worn l i ne t hat t he outcome of Friday’s game was never going to finalise anything, the winger assessed the slenderest of wins as only a firm footing on the road to France.

‘We are all buzzing, it is a great feeling and a great three points,’ he added. ‘It was hard-fought but we managed to dig it out.

‘It was and it wasn’t (a must-win game). There are still games left to make up for it had we not won.

‘It would have been a setback had we lost against Ireland but we wouldn’t have treated it like the end of the world.

‘We are building a good thing here. The momentum is with us and we are full of confidence.

‘Now we can look forward after getting the three points.’ More i mmediately, Roy Hodgson’s England represent a further yardstick of Scotland’s progression under Strachan.

Having come agonisingly close to pinching a point from Germany at the outset of the campaign, bloodying the nose of another top seed would further escalate the feeling that Scotland’s rise is continuing apace.

‘It is very important to keep it going,’ said 26-year- old Anya. ‘Winning is a habit and we need to keep trying to win.

‘So far, we are doing well. We have two victories in the campaign and we will keep on progressing and, hopefully, get a good result against England.

‘It is going to be a test but we have had tests before this.

‘Germany are a very good team, as are Poland. We performed well in Germany and we got a good result in Poland.

‘You go into any game full of confidence and Tuesday won’t be any different.’

Perhaps more than any other player i n the squad, Anya exemplifies the Strachan effect. The then practically unknown Glaswegian’s introduction to the squad 15 months ago necessitated some frantic research by most members of the Tartan Army — yet, under t he manager’s tutelage, he has shone.

‘He has given confidence to all of us,’ Anya added. ‘On the touchline, he’s shouting at us to get on the ball and pass it about when the opposition have a little spell of being on top.

‘He has been brilliant for us and has given us the belief we can achieve something.

‘We go into every game thinking we can win, especially at home.

‘We will be back at Celtic Park again on Tuesday. The atmosphere was electric and that will be even more the case against England after the confidence we took from the Ireland game.’