IKECHI ANYA believes Scotland can go for the jugular against the Republic of Ireland in their crunch Euro qualifier on Friday.

The winger insists the confidence imbued in the side by manager Gordon Strachan has allowed them to throw off the shackles.

A win over Martin O'Neill's side would allow the Scots to draw level with the Irish in Group D.

And Watford winger Anya - who scored against Germany in the opening match defeat and set up Shaun Maloney for his goal in the draw against Poland - insists they have the firepower to grab the victory.

Since being brought into the revamped squad by Strachan, the 26-year-old has become one of the main weapons in Scotland's increasingly-impressive attacking armoury.

But Anya is taking the responsibility for delivering in his very quick stride and said: "The gaffer has given all the attacking players freedom to express themselves.

"When you have that confidence from the manager, the players are only going to develop.

"The attacking prowess we have within the team is very good and we know we can go and win games."

Anya believes that this feelgood factor and confidence shows in the way the team looks to attack at every opportunity.

After years of focusing only on being hard to beat, he reckons everyone involved is thriving on this new freedom of expression.

"Not taking anything away from the defence, but I think the attack is the strongest part of the team," said Anya as he prepared for the testing double-header against the Irish and then the English on Tuesday.

"We have players with real strength in depth there now. It is so positive on all fronts."

Anya is relishing the prospect of playing in front of a full house and sampling the special big-game atmosphere at Celtic Park.

He said: "I've never played there before. My mum is going to drive up on Friday and drive back down the same day. Then she is going to drive back up for the England game on Tuesday."

The Glasgow-born star will not feel under any extra pressure because he has so many friends and family willing him on.

"It's never a case of having to impress your family as they just want you to do your best," explained the man who has made such an impact while winning his first nine caps.

"They probably want you to do even better than you want to do for yourself. But I will go out relaxed and play how the gaffer wants me to.

"Hopefully, I will also have that little bit of luck to have a good night where it all comes together."