Scotland Women's Football Team

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland interim head coach Michael McArdle insists the experience of playing elite sides is the only way for the national team to narrow the gap to the top.

Germany lie in wait in early April at Tannadice in the first of a double-header in Nations League A.

The Germans are ranked second in Europe and third in the world rankings, clearly presenting a formidable test as Scotland seek their first points after beginning the group with defeats by Austria and Netherlands.

"We've earned the reward of League A, so it's perfect for us now to go out and test yourself against that level," McArdle said after revealing the return of Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert for these fixtures.

"Testing yourself against the best, especially for our younger players, it's perfect for us to play and see those benchmarks.

"You see the difference between League B and League A. You'll get 30% to 50% less chances in and around the box. The opposition will have more against you and it's about that clinical action on both boxes.

"The only way we're going to progress to the highest level is playing them more often."

Recent results suggest Scotland will struggle to avoid dropping down to League B after this cycle but McArdle insists if that happens, they will be better equipped to deliver at that level.

"Absolutely, you've got to be accountable to that and that pressure is always a reward for how well you're doing," he added.

"If that was the outcome, then you have to then use that to dominate within, but also that's the last cycle before the [Euro] play-offs. Obviously, opportunity for qualification. So it's about hitting rhythm at that point as well."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Scotland interim head coach Michael McArdle has been speaking with the media after announcing his squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Germany.

Here are the key points:

• Erin Cuthbert, Amy Rodgers and Sandy MacIver replace Mia McAulay, Eilidh Shore and Erin Clachers. McArdle is delighted to welcome back the "significant experience" of Chelsea midfielder Cuthbert in particular.

• He believes Germany offer the "perfect opposition" being ranked second in Europe and third in the world and also having 30 players represented across the Champions League quarter-finals as he looks to test Scotland "against the best".

• Despite Scotland narrowly losing their opening two fixtures away to Austria and at home to Netherlands, McArdle was "proud" of the performances and adds: "Fine margins, it's that both boxes again and you see the difference between League B and League A. You'll get 30% to 50% less chances in and around the box."

• McArdle pointed to Caroline Weir and Cuthbert as crucial to the development of younger players in the squad given their elite experience at Champions League level.

• He also insisted that if Scotland do drop into League B after this cycle they should be in a stronger position as a result of these games.

• On his future and interim role, McArdle, who was appointed in January, says: "It's been clear from the start that they would update me if anything changed. So the process is ongoing and we've planned for this to be ongoing as well."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Emma Lawton received her first Scotland call up earlier this month, she didn't expected to start one never mind two Nations League games.

Given the "surreal" six months she's had, though, she probably should have had a wee bit more faith.

The Celtic full-back not only made her international debut in Austria, and followed it up with a second start on Tuesday against the Netherlands, she scored her first goal for her country too, giving the Scots a shock lead before the Dutch fought back for a 2-1 win at Hampden.

"I was just ready for any rebounds and I hit it," Lawton said of her first-half strike. "Luckily it flew into the goal. I'm really pleased with it."

Summing up an "enjoyable but challenging" time in camp, the goalscorer spoke of the "crazy" experience of having tea with some of her idols.

"I've watched a lot of these players for years," she told BBC Scotland.

"To be training and playing with them, and eating dinner with them, has been crazy. It is a really great group of girls.

"It's been really enjoyable, very challenging, but I am really happy to be here.

"I didn't think I'd play to be honest. To start both games, I'm proud to have done that, pleased with it.

"Knowing [interim head coach] Michael [McArdle] has been really good. The girls have really liked him. It has been a positive week for us. We have taken steps in the right way."

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Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson is "proud" of her team-mates despite their defeat to the Netherlands.

The Scots lost their Nations League opener away to Austria on Friday night and despite a much improved performance at home to the Dutch, they were on the end of a 2-1 defeat.

Next up, back-to-back games against Germany in April.

"We know Group A in the Nations League is going to be really tough so when you plays teams at home you know you need to try and pick up points," Gibson said.

"But I'm proud of the team, excited about the direction we're going in. It's going to be two really difficult games come April.

"We're trying to get to grips with the new management over a short period of time but there's plenty to build on and we're just excited to get back out on the pitch."

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Captain Caroline Weir says it's been a positive week for Scotland despite back-to-back Nations League defeats.

A 1-0 defeat away to Austria was followed by a 2-1 loss at home to the Netherlands, despite Scotland scoring the first goal, as interim head coach Michael McArdle took charge of his first games.

"We knew it was going to be tough," the midfielder said.

"I thought we did well in the first half and created chances. It's small margins at this level. I'm proud of the team. The effort was there and we can take a lot of learnings from that.

"Credit to her [Emma Lawton] and all the other young players, they're taking their chance. It's never easy but we can see they are talented and really want it as well. As older players we've tried to show our experience.

"It's been a positive week. We don't want to look too far ahead. Overall it's positive and we'll go again next camp."

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Scotland interim head coach Michael McArdle: "I'm proud, first and foremost.

"I'm not happy not winning the game. We set up with a game plan to control the game without the ball. The game plan worked well in certain aspects, but maybe in the final third we need to improve in those areas.

"Plenty of positives in regard to the teamwork and identity. I have seen glimmers of the identity, which is great over a short period of time.

"I'm delighted for [Emma Lawton] personally. I'm delighted for us all that work with her at club and country.

"The game plan was always to frustrate Netherlands. The main thing from us all was keeping that communication. We have improved our communication and leadership on the pitch.

"It was a difficult game in Austria. To not take a point from the game is more frustrating now that it was on Saturday. There is huge steps being taken with the group, it is exciting.

"We are experimental and brave. We will take risks, especially against the top nations. That is how we will learn."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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If onlookers of a Scottish persuasion were offered this result pre-match, you would imagine a fair chunk of folk would have taken it.

After an at times disjointed performance against Austria on Friday, there were fears the Dutch could run roughshod on the Hampden turf.

However, while Andries Jonkers' side utterly dominated proceedings, Scotland still managed to give them a wee fright.

The midfield was by-passed at the Josko Arena, but there was much more action for Caroline Weir and Kirsty Maclean this time. Meanwhile, out wide, Kirsty Hanson and Lauren Davidson were utilised.

Up until Emma Lawton's opener, Lee Gibson's goal was peppered with chances by world-class players.

Whether it was Vivianne Miedema, Jill Roord or Esmee Burgts - who scored in both games against Scotland in their last Nations League A campaign - it was a mystery as to how they had not converted.

For all their class, though, they were not clinical - so often Scotland's problem.

Lawton unleashed her instinctive effort with venom. On her first start, Eilidh Adams got herself about and, like on Friday, Hanson missed a gilt-edged chance.

As Scotland must know by now, it is small margins at this level. However, it was better than it has been against elite opposition for a fair while.

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Her first Scotland goal on only her second senior start, it's been some ride for Emma Lawton so far and she's only just getting started.

Emma Watson says Scotland have the "hunger, desire and fight" to beat the Netherlands in their Nations League fixture.

Scotland's opponents are currently 10th in the world rankings, reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 2023 and winning the European Championships in 2017.

"You would call it on paper, Netherlands, the team, the players they have, like they're a top, top side," said Watson on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"But what differentiates us from other nations is that we are Scottish and we've got that hunger, we've got that desire, we've got that fight in us that other nations don't have.

"That's what makes us us, and if we bring that to the game, we can make it so difficult playing against these top teams because personally I don't think they can do it.

"But we can, they don't have the heart like we do, so I think we're into the game and that'll be massive for us."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Lee Gibson made her Scotland debut over seven years ago, Scotland team-mate Mia McAulay was still in primary school.

So it's safe to say the goalkeeper is one of the more experienced members of Michael McArdle's squad.

The Glasgow City shot-stopper survived McArdle's wholesale changes, where nine members of the squad who took on Finland in the failed Euro 2025 play-off final were omitted from this group to take on Austria and the Netherlands.

Six uncapped players were named - including McAulay, who has since returned to Rangers - so what advice does the 33-year-old have for the fresh faces in camp?

"I'd just say embrace it," Gibson said before Scotland host the Dutch on Tuesday night.

"There's nothing better than coming into your national team, especially the A squad.

"I've been fortunate enough to be around it for quite a significant period of time now, and you don't get sick of it.

"There's nothing better than meeting up with the girls that come here. A lot of them become your really close friends and second family."

While the family feel runs throughout the squad, Gibson added the "goalkeeper's union here is excellent," after she was recently replaced by Eartha Cumings, before returning between the Scotland sticks at Josko Arena in Friday's defeat.

Gibson started the first leg of Scotland's play-off semi-final against Hungary, and kept a clean sheet, but was surprising replaced by Rosengard's Cumings for the return leg as well as the final against Finland.

Gibson admitted it was "disappointing" but says Cumings "deserved the opportunity just as much".

"Eartha had had an incredible season, and I back everybody that goes on that pitch that they're going to do a job. Eartha played really well," Gibson said.

"You need to make sure you can be resilient and try and push past that. I'm thankful that I've had another opportunity."

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Rangers defender Nicola Docherty has been called up to the Scotland squad for Tuesday night's Nations League visit of Netherlands, with Amy Muir and Mia McAulay dropping out.

Docherty, 32, has 63 caps and was a regular under previous head coach Pedro Martinez Losa before being omitted by interim boss Michael McArdle for the opening Nations League double-header.

The Scots are looking to bounce back at Hampden after starting the campaign with a 1-0 defeat in Austria on Friday night.

Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson says they want to emulate Steve Clarke's side when the Netherlands visit Hampden on Tuesday.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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The "vibrancy" brought by Scotland's fresh faces has helped keep the positivity flowing in camp, despite defeat in Austria, says interim head coach Michael McArdle.

The Scots were defeated 1-0 in their opening Nations League A game on Friday night, but will have the chance to get off the mark on Tuesday night against the Netherlands.

McArdle handed debuts to Emma Lawton, Freya Gregory and Eilidh Adams - as well as a first competitive start to Amy Muir - at Josko Arena and their "fresh mindset" has kept the group focussed.

"They're fresh, they don't have any burden from previous experiences," explained McArdle.

"They come in with a fresh mindset and a fresh focus, which is what we need.

"That's something that we all need to keep an eye on in the longer term process, so it is a lot easier when you've got that vibrancy around as well."

McArdle is under no illusions Tuesday's test against the Dutch will be " a challenge" but he and his team have a game-plan for success.

"We expect a difficult game," he added.

"So, structurally, it's very important, to make sure that we give ourselves a chance to control the game without the ball and then have those moments going forward, but we've got a game plan to win the game and that will mean those moments are difficult against a very top nation."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

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Michael McArdle addressed the media before Scotland's first home game in the Nations League against the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

Here are the key things he said:

• Reflecting on Friday night's defeat in Austria, the interim head coach said there were "plenty positives behind-the-scenes as the massive, blind, first steps in a new journey" were made.

• It "wasn't a pretty game" but Scotland "lacked the clinical edge in both boxes".

• Easier to keep the positivity up despite defeat due to debutants and fresh faces who "don't carry any burden from previous experiences".

• McArdle expects a "difficult game against a top nation" and expects to "suffer without the ball". He added "Structurally," it's very important on Tuesday to gain any control.

• "Self-belief" is key to Scotland finally being able to end their struggle in front of goal, and having a "determined, clarity of mind" when faced with goal. The interim head coach believes "huge strides" have been made in doing that.

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Scotland debutant Emma Lawton is "loving every minute" of her "surreal" season, which started off at part-time Partick Thistle.

The 23-year-old made her international debut in the defeat to Austria on Friday night, having been called up for the first time thanks to her fine first season with Celtic.

"It was definitely a proud moment for me to get my first start but, disappointed with the result," the full-back said.

"I was actually thinking about it on the bus here that six months ago I was playing part-time football and now I've played in the Champions League, I'm at a full-time club and now I'm playing for Scotland.

"It's been surreal, but I'm just loving every minute of it."

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"Frustrated" Kirsty Hanson is "so disappointed" after Scotland kicked off their Nations League campaign with defeat in Austria.

"We wanted to start off the campaign on a win, which we didn't get," the winger said.

"We should have finished our chances. I'm really obviously disappointed in myself. I had two chances and I didn't finish them.

"It's about small margins at this level, so I'm obviously really frustrated with myself, but we had other chances as well and it's just about taking them.

"They had probably one chance and they scored it, and it's just about small margins."

The Aston Villa winger added "it might take some time," with the new-look squad, "but we can't obviously use that as an excuse".

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Interim head coach Michael McArdle: "Disappointed with the result, performance-wise, there's areas we can improve as well.

"We know that ourselves, we're already in reflection immediately after the game, particularly transitional moments in the centre of the pitch, but, it's fine margins, we created plenty of chances.

"We're just missing that cutting-edge, that bit of belief in front of goal."

On losing Sophie Howard: "You always miss Sophie's experience in communication. However, I thought Leah did add to the game as well, especially the bravery on the ball in the build-up.

"That's the path we're on in this journey just now, it's the change within the squad and some freshness, and we do need that depth.

"To see Leah coming on with the debutants as well, coming off the pitch and affecting the game also is really positive."

On leading Scotland: "Personally, it'll be a proud moment when I get the chance to reflect. Obviously, the result is the matter of fact just now, so at the moment I'm disappointed with the result, but I'll get an opportunity myself personally to reflect on something."

On the Netherlands: "It's at Hampden, so I'm looking forward to being home and doing my best. Obviously, we've kept our eye on Netherlands over the last few weeks as well, so just a reset on the flight home tonight and then prepare for work over the weekend towards the game on Tuesday.

"This was probably a game where you would have been eyeing up three points, - you do in every game - but this was the first one you wanted to get off the mark."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland at Josko Arena, Ried im Innkreis

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Despite a new boss in the dugout and plenty of fresh faces among the squad, Scotland's latest loss will feel all too familiar.

Scotland's backline, albeit very young and inexperienced, gave the ball away cheaply and were far from convincing when it came to clearing their lines. There were a fair few slack passes in the midfield too, which put them under even more pressure throughout the first half.

They started better in the second but as the half wore on they looked less and less like they would be able to salvage something.

Arguably this was the easiest of the opponents in the group - with the Netherlands and Germany making up the remainder of A1 - and once again it's looking like an uphill battle for the Scots, who parted with Pedro Martinez Losa at the end of the unsuccessful Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.