'Very tough' Scotland enter play-offs with 'belief'

Scotland topped their group without losing a match

In-form Scotland are the team "probably nobody wanted to draw" in the Euro 2025 play-offs, reckons head coach Pedro Martinez Losa.

Having topped their qualifying group with five wins and a draw, the Scots meet Hungary next and will take on Montenegro or Finland should they progress.

A strong campaign in the B section has lifted spirits following a winless experience against the A-listers of the Nations League last year.

"We are confident that we can be competitive against any opponent," said Martinez Losa, reacting to the possible pathway to Euro 2025.

"We have had five wins in a row and, while at some moment this run will finish, we want to keep it going as long as we can.

"Momentum is very important. Life is about momentum. Football is about using the energy of the fans and being able to impact the opponent as much as we can."

Scotland have not been to a major finals since the 2019 World Cup, missing out on a return to the biggest stage after losing a play-off final against the Republic of Ireland at Hampden in October 2022.

"We have had this experience before of being in a play-off to qualify, which gives us confidence and the right mentality for the team," added Martinez Losa.

"That experience will help us to be calm in the right moments and have belief in ourselves. Now we have to do it again and I am sure this time it will be different."

"We know who our opponents would be if we win the first round but we don’t look too far ahead. We have learned how the day-to-day is important and that the next day is the most important.

"We have the confidence and the belief we can do it. We are a very tough opponent that probably nobody wanted to draw."