Tuesday 9 September 2014 17:21, UK
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan was surprised to see Celtic and top Premier League clubs overlook Ikechi Anya in the summer transfer window.
The Watford winger starred again for his country on Sunday, with a fine individual display capped by a well-taken goal in a 2-1 defeat to Germany.
The 26-year-old, who only made his international debut in September 2013, did not look out of place against the newly-crowned world champions.
It is that level of performance and belief in his own ability that Strachan believes should have been noted by leading sides north and south of the border prior to the deadline passing.
He said: “The coaching staff scratch our heads and wonder why he is not playing in the English Premier League.
“It’s not mugs he’s playing against – it’s Germany, Croatia, Belgium and England.
“Macedonia were no mugs either and he scored against them too (on his first Scotland start).
“When he was running through (against Germany) I thought, ‘Right, you’ve just sprinted 30 yards and now you’re up against the best goalie in the world’.
“But he stuck it away as if it was a training game. The ball didn’t trickle into the back of the net either, he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Former Parkhead boss Strachan added: “He could go to a 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, he can even play left-back.
“And he has a love for the game which is so refreshing. He’s worked so hard to get where he is right now that he doesn’t want to lose it.”
