Anya Misses Scotland's Euro Decider

Gordon Strachan has revealed Ikechi Anya is out of Scotland's crunch European Championship qualifier against Poland at Hampden Park on Thursday night.

There are several permutations which could leave the Scots in a play-off spot but defeat against the Poles would end their hopes before the Group D finale against Gibraltar in Faro on Sunday.

However, the Watford winger will be unavailable to help the Scottish cause. Strachan, speaking at the national stadium, said: "Ikechi is not going to make it, he has a tight calf so he has gone back to get treatment at Watford.

"James Morrison (suspended for Poland game) is going to struggle. He got an injury at the end of the game against Crystal Palace the other day.

"Charlie Mulgrew (thigh) was never going to be fit. Charlie is only here because he wanted to be here and add to the squad and what we do behind the scenes and he has certainly done that."

Strachan admits the absence of Anya will restrict his options although who will occupy the striking role or roles - Steven Fletcher, Leigh Griffiths, Chris Martin, Steven Naismith or Jordan Rhodes - has been at the forefront of his thoughts.

The former Scotland midfielder said: "I would say that is the one we have been thinking about for a long time because every striker scored at the weekend, I think."

Naismith, in fact, was the one exception.

Strachan added: "Each of the strikers have different assets and plusses but we don't have an all-round guy who has every one of these and then you have to think what type of game should it be, and pick the players that would suit that game.

"In saying that, we have decisions to make in midfield where we have good players although it does diminish a bit in wide positions with Ikechi leaving.

"So we will try to envisage the game and think what is the best 11 for that game."

Asked how he was preparing to deal with in-form Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 12 goals in his last four games for Bayern Munich, Strachan said: "Most of our work has been done in group defending and group attacking and hopefully our group defending will nullify any areas that their top players want to play in.

"But the secret is actually, if you keep the ball long enough and longer than them, then the chances of them scoring a goal is reduced.

"So that is what we have to try and do. And if we have more chances and more goals then that will be fine.

"But we understand that there are some right good players in the Polish side."