Scotland Names Squad for Nigeria Friendly

Watford midfielder Ikechi Anya has been named in Scotland squad to face Nigeria at Craven Cottage on 28 May.

Derby County duo Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth have gotten their first Scotland call-ups for the friendly match intended to help coach Gordon Strachan prepare his side prepare for their Euro 2016 qualifying series.

Anya, born of a Nigerian research scientist father, scored his first international goal in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Macedonia, four days after his debut, on 10 September 2013.

Ikechi Anya Named in Scotland Squad for Nigeria Friendly.
Ikechi Anya Named in Scotland Squad for Nigeria Friendly.

Scotland, who are not going to compete in Brazil, would use the friendly to tune up for their Euro 2016 qualifiers, where they’ve been pitted against Germany, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Georgia and Gibraltar.

Nigeria will be up against favourites, Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran in the group stages of the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Both nations last met in a World Cup- Korea/Japan 2002- warm-up, when the then coach Adeboye Onigbinde-led lads came from behind to snatch a 2-1 win in Aberdeen.

Scotland squad (v Nigeria on 28 May):

Goalkeepers: Cammy Bell (Rangers), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Hull City).

Defenders: Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic), Craig Forsyth (Derby County), Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Dundee United), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City).

Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace), George Boyd (Hull City), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Bryson (Derby County), Chris Burke (Birmingham City), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion).

Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic), Chris Martin (Derby County), Ross McCormack (Leeds United), Steven Naismith (Everton).