First Scotland call up for Aston Villa's Taylor
Taylor scored the only goal in Aston Villa's weekend WSL win against Man Utd
- Published
Aston Villa midfielder Miri Taylor has been named in the Scotland squad for the first time since changing her international allegiance from England.
The 25-year-old, who represented England at under-17 level, has been called up by head coach Melissa Andreatta for friendlies against Ukraine and China in Spain.
Taylor is one of two changes to the squad who picked up their first win under the Australian in Morocco and suffered a narrow defeat to Switzerland in Dunfermline, with Rangers defender Leah Eddie also coming in, in place of Kirsty Smith and Amy Rodgers.
"She's a player that's coming into camp with good form," head coach Melissa Andreatta explained.
"She's shown her qualities as a midfielder and it's a very competitive position within our squad, but I think her defensive-mindedness, her holding midfield qualities is something that I want to look at."
Taylor netted the only goal of the game - and her first of the season - as Villa inflicted Manchester United's first Women's Super League defeat of the season at the weekend.
Gillingham-born Taylor initially joined the Villains on loan from Liverpool in February 2024 - after joining the Merseyside club the year before from Angel City in Los Angeles - and made the move permanent in the summer.
She signed a two-year contract with Villa in July 2024.
The Scots take on Ukraine in Jerez on 28 November (11:00 GMT) and China on 2 December (14:00) in their final friendlies before they kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign in the new year, friendlies Andreatta believes will provide a stern test.
"I think we're going to be facing two teams who are taking these two games very seriously," she said.
"What I'm expecting to face is two tough games against teams that are in form, that are flying high in confidence, but so are we.
"I'm pleased with where we're at, but we'll be going in knowing that there's things that we need to tighten up. There's things we can always improve on and with this group, that's what they're hungry to do.
"Let's build on what we've built so far."
Taylor gives Villa win as Man Utd lose first WSL game of the season
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).
Defenders: Georgia Brown (Sporting Club Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Como), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton & Hove Albion), Amy Muir (Glasgow City).
Midfielders: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Sam Kerr (Liverpool), Kirsty MacLean (Liverpool), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).
Forwards: Lauren Davidson (Brann), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur).