Anya hands Scotland victory over Czech Republic

Ikechi Anya handed Scotland a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic in a friendly in Prague on Thursday, which left the hosts musing about their ideal squad for Euro 2016.

Following a minute's silence for the victims of the Brussels attack and the late Johan Cruyff, Anya scored on ten minutes after picking up a neat pass from Ross McCormack in full sprint.

The Watford midfielder beat Czech goalkeeper Tomas Koubek with a low left-footer, spoiling the keeper's international debut and leaving the Czech Republic waiting for their first clean sheet after 18 games under coach Pavel Vrba.

The Czechs had the first good scoring chance eight minutes into the game when midfielder Borek Dockal hit the crossbar from a free kick and Scotland keeper Allan McGregor then pulled a superb dive to clear a header by striker Tomas Necid.

As Scotland scored, the Hull keeper became the busiest man on the pitch, clearing a long-range header by Vladimir Darida and blasts by another Czech debutant Martin Frydek and Josef Sural.

The second half offered far less excitement with the Czechs trying to find the goal in vain and the Scots being far from dangerous up front.

When Daniel Pudil finally aimed at the target eight minutes from the final whistle, he was denied by McGregor who offered another great dive to clear the ball by the left post.

The hosts missed two injured Arsenal players - goalkeeper Petr Cech and midfielder Tomas Rosicky.

The Czechs face Sweden in Stockholm in another friendly next Tuesday, while Scotland will host Denmark on the same day.

The Czech Republic, who qualified for Euro 2016 after topping a group also comprising Iceland, the Netherlands and Turkey, will face Croatia, Spain and Turkey in a tricky Group D in France.

Scotland failed to make it to the finals from a group won by Germany ahead of Poland and Ireland.