I couldn’t even score against Germany on Fifa so I was shocked to do it for real

HE joked that he couldn’t even score against Germany while playing Fifa video games.

So it certainly came as a shock when he managed to do so in real life!

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Scotland and Germany will meet in the mouth watering opening clash of Euro 2024 next month.

Steve Clarke‘s men will take on the host nation in front of a packed 75,000-strong Allianz Arena.

The nations haven’t met too many times in recent years.

In fact, they last played each other in European Championships qualifying almost a decade ago.

While Germany came out on top in both games – 2-1 at home and 3-2 in Glasgow – the clash in Dortmund is remembered for an incredible Scotland goal.

It was the opening match of the qualifying campaign on 7 September, 2014.

Germany took an early lead through Thomas Muller, but dogged Scotland refused to go away and equalised in stunning fashion.

A terrific bit of control and composure saw Steven Fletcher send Ikechi Anya clear down the left hand side.

The winger charged down on goal and slotted superbly past Manuel Neuer with an excellent, composed finish.

The goal sent the travelling Tartan Army wild as Scotland levelled things up against a side that had won the World Cup just two months before.

Unfortunately, Gordon Strachan‘s brave side left with nothing as Muller struck again with what turned out to be the winning goal before Charlie Mulgrew was sent-off.

But while the result ultimately didn’t come, Anya’s goal provided an incredible moment.

Anya, now retired, won 29 caps between 2013 and 2017, scoring three international goals.

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Born in Glasgow, Anya made his name in English football in the bottom two Football League tiers before earning a shock move to Spanish giants Sevilla in 2009.

He returned to England in 2012 with Watford and it was with the Hornets where he caught the attention of the national team.

The goal against Germany was undoubtedly his finest moment for his country.

Anya was visibly emotional after scoring against the world champions and shared his disbelief afterwards.

Joking that he couldn’t even score past Manuel Neuer on Fifa, it came as a shock when he managed to do it for real.

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He said: “I scored past Manuel Neuer! Wow. I can’t even do that on Fifa!

“In all actuality, to work this hard for a passion is worth more than a salary.

“Best feeling ever. No words needed.

“The fact that I had a hand in making so many people happy last night, it’s such a reward in itself and something that leaves me feeling very proud.”

Anya would spend four years with Watford after joining from La Liga club Granada in 2012.

It was at Vicarage Road he got his crack at the Premier League, playing a regular part as they stayed up in the 2015/16 season.

Anya moved on to Derby County in 2016 before retiring in 2020.

These days, he keeps a rather low profile and isn’t on any social media sites.

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