Scotland manager Gordon Strachan describes Watford wing-back Ikechi Anya as a “force of nature” who can re-energise your love for football.

The 27-year-old has become a key member of the Scottish side since winning his first cap in August 2013 and is almost certain to start, barring injury, in the Scots’ vital Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland next month.

But his road to international football has been a long one. Released by Wycombe Wanderers at the age of 17, Anya spent time in non-league football before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.

He then played for Sevilla and Celta Vigo’s reserve sides before earning a move to Granada in 2011.

A year later Granada’s owners, the Pozzo family, purchased Watford and he returned to the Home Counties in the summer of 2012.

Fast forward to May 2015 and Anya is an established international footballer who will spend this summer preparing for Premier League football with the Hornets.

And to cap off his season, he was this week named International Player of the Year by the Scottish Football Writers Association.

“I don’t think we should be surprised he’s won that award. He’s another of these guys who have had knock backs earlier in life but has kept working,” Strachan told the Daily Record.

“Ikechi went away to Spain to Glenn Hoddle’s academy and when you meet him now, it’s like meeting a force of nature. You feel a bit better afterwards.

“Sometime players can disappoint you – there are quite a few – but there are a lot more who, like him, can re-energise your love of football. He’s great fun so I’m delighted for him.”