Watford's Ikechi Anya has won his first Scotland call-up after being named in Gordon Strachan's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Macedonia next month.
Watford's Ikechi Anya has won his first Scotland call-up after being named in Gordon Strachan's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Macedonia next month.
The Glasgow-born player, who can play full-back or wide midfield, wins his first international recognition at the age of 25.
Leeds forward Ross McCormack has secured a recall to the squad after Kenny Miller announced his international retirement.
Anya, who was listed as a defender on the Scottish Football Association squad list, was born in Scotland to a Nigerian father and Romanian mother, both of whom are academics.
He began his career at Wycombe but was released by Paul Lambert and moved to Spain to resurrect his career at the Glenn Hoddle Academy following a short spell with Northampton.
Anya impressed in friendly games in Spain and won a contract with Sevilla before moving to Watford last summer after playing spells with several Spanish clubs including Celta Vigo.
Anya established himself as a regular in Watford's run to the Championship play-offs and played in the Wembley defeat to Crystal Palace.
Strachan said: "We knew about him at the end of last year and everybody watched him. When any of my friends watched him they passed on information.
"I spoke to him last night and he was delighted.
"He is a late developer. He has been in Spain playing football and I think he was in the Glenn Hoddle foundation out there.
"He is a guy who has seen there is a chance and worked hard.
"He has got pace, technically he is good, he keeps the ball, so they are good credentials for an international player."
McCormack scored on his last Scotland appearance, a 3-1 friendly win over Australia a year ago, but illness and injury deprived him of a chance under Strachan.
The Scotland boss said: "He's had a good start to the season and been big in games. He was unfortunate not to be in the last squad, we felt we would try to keep the squad that was in Croatia together.
"The whole group did so well in the preparation and playing of that game."
As well as Miller, Coventry defender Andy Webster, Motherwell left-back Stevie Hammell, Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven, Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt and Birmingham winger Chris Burke have dropped out of the squad.
With Allan McGregor suspended for the Belgium clash at Hampden on September 6, Kilmarnock's Craig Samson comes in as a fourth goalkeeper.
Nottingham Forest forward Jamie Mackie has also earned himself a recall while Darren Fletcher, Steven Fletcher and Gary Caldwell remain out through injury and illness.
Winger Matt Philips, who has moved from Blackpool to QPR, is also still unavailable through an arm injury.
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