World Cup

[monks data]

World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage

Nov 11, 2016 at 7.45pm UK

England
3-0
Scotland

Sturridge (24'), Lallana (50'), Cahill (61')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Ikechi Anya: 'All of the Scotland team are behind manager Gordon Strachan'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 12 November 2016

Ikechi Anya says that Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has the players' "full backing" following Friday's 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley.

Ikechi Anya has insisted that Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has the players' "full backing" following Friday night's defeat to England.

Pressure is growing on Strachan as Scotland's chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia have dwindled following back-to-back defeats.

Following a 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley, Scotland dropped to fifth in Group F, six points adrift of their rivals, who top the table.

Despite the predicament, Anya is hopeful that Strachan will remain in charge of the team.

"He has our full backing. He is an unbelievable manager to work with," ITV News quotes Anya as saying. "It is a bit unfair, it is the players that are on the pitch and for me the gaffer has been a breath of fresh air for Scotland.

"No-one is exempt from criticism, the gaffer has been around for a long time, he knows how to deal with it and he knows he has the backing of his players. It is his decision but personally I would like him to stay and I know a lot of players would.

"If you were looking from the outside and seen it was 3-0 you would think it was an easy game. It was far from it. It was not a three-goal game. We are four points away from second place, we have four home games and we have a good record at Hampden."

Strachan has been in charge of the Scotland national team since 2013.