AS THEY set their sights on booking a place at France 2016, it is Le Crunch time for Scotland.

The excellent start made in Group D by Gordon Strachan's side has not been enough to push them into one of the two automatic qualification spots.

They are held by Poland and Friday's visitors to Celtic Park, the Republic of Ireland, who have been the surprise package so far with a win in Georgia and a draw in Germany.

For the Scots, the heat is very much on.

They have been turned around by Strachan and his backroom staff.

However, in tandem with fresh hope that they can at last make a return to a major finals for the first time since 1998 travels growing expectation.

The heat is on. But no-one in the home camp is backing away from the fire, least of all Ikechi Anya, on whose slight shoulders so much of the aforementioned hope and expectation sits these days after his goal in Germany in the opening match and his assist for Shaun Maloney to net in Poland in our last outing.

"I can remember towards the back end of the last campaign a lot of people were saying we were playing well because we had no pressure," said the Watford winger, who is looking to win his 10th cap.

"But we have shown so far that, when the pressure is on, we can handle it. We will have to handle that pressure against the Republic of Ireland to get the result we want."

The words are delivered with a confident assurance which, at no point, risks straying into the realms of cockiness.

Scotland know they have travelled far as a group under Strachan, but are still a long way from their destination.

Three points on Friday would push them some way along that road. And, though now based just outside London, Glasgow-born Anya has been able to sense just how excited this proud footballing nation has become ahead of the visit of the Irish.

It is such a big match it has even managed to eclipse the Scotland v England friendly four days later.

Anya smiled as he contemplated this lip-smacking double-header.

"The next two games are going to be incredible, not just for us as players, but for the whole country," said the 26-year-old.

"There has been a big buzz around these games since it was decided when they would be played. We are all looking forward to it and we just want Friday to hurry up and arrive."

The Scotland players are, however, aware the Republic players and their supporters are every bit as eager to get it on.

Martin O'Neill's side must be treated with extreme caution. Their performances since the former Celtic boss took over merit this.

INDEED, their results have already proved to be a problem for the Scots as, every time Strachan's side leaves the field believing they have achieved a good result, it has tended to be trumped by the Irish.

Anya is full of admiration for the job they have done in the opening stages of this tight group, but said philosophically: "We can only concentrate on our own results and, so far, we've done well.

"The Republic have a very impressive squad, and the bulk of their players are Premier League or Championship players. That is quite similar to us.

"From day-to-day experience, a lot of our players will know the Irish lads. They are doing very well, and to get a draw in Germany was a massive result for them. It's going to make for an interesting game."

Familiarity can often lead to contempt. But the articulate and intelligent Anya has no concerns that will be the case on Friday.

He said: "Sometimes it works like that, sometimes it doesn't.

"If you have team-mates, like Steven Naismith and Seamus Coleman, they will know each other's qualities and might be telling their manager he is better at this or that.

"We will know Ireland a bit more intimately, but the gaffer also made sure we knew all about Georgia, too."

All of which ensures a special night, with tickets for the clash of the Celts even more eagerly sought than those for the meeting with the Auld Enemy.

"It has been sold out for a while and 95% of the fans are going to be Scottish," said Anya.

"The atmosphere is going to be incredible. Ibrox, for the Georgia game, was amazing and it is going to be just as good at Celtic Park.

"The last games we played at Hampden, against Croatia and the United States, the atmosphere was electric.

"I am sure the crowd is going to roar us on again on Friday."

What Anya, and the rest of Strachan's squad, are desperate to avoid, is falling flat on their faces and sending the Tartan Army home to think again.

The momentum built up so carefully to this point would be brought to a shuddering halt, and he acknowledged: "I understand what you are saying.

"But, even if the worst comes to the worst, and we don't get a win or a draw that we are expected to, it is not the end of the world. We'll have games to try and make it up."

He went on; "It's a long qualifying campaign to reach 2016. However, we're not even thinking about that as we are going for three points."

Germany's failure to play like the world champions they are in the initial group games has opened the door for the rest to jockey for position in the qualification spots.

The table looks somewhat askew as a result. But Anya reasons: "That just goes to show how hard this group is.

"Any team - well, near enough any team, as I don't want to be disrespectful to Gibraltar who have had a few losses - on their day can go up and surprise any other.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia manage to get a good result at any of these other countries. It just shows how focused and how much you need to be on your game to get three points."