Scotland Women's Football Team

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "Very disappointed and very frustrated.

I want to apologise to the fans. This is not the level we expected. Especially in the first half, we totally lost concentration. I also give credit to England, I thought they were excellent.

We had chances to get back in the game but it was very difficult. It was a tough night for our players. I want to take full responsibility because I know how hard the players work for us but today it was not enough."

"I think we have been improving game by game. We are building our own style. Today was not a question of the game plan - I think the game plan was okay - it was about the execution and it was a question of how the opponent overcame the difficulties of the game and the desire they put into the result.

"We are a group united between the players and the staff. This is a setback of course, but football always bring you to these moments and we must rebuild for the next stage and the Euros."

"We felt we were very close in some games [in the campaign] but today we felt very far. We must reset and the players must reset. We have another opportunity in February to focus on qualification for the Euros."

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Despite questions around the Scotland players' integrity ahead of a match that England needed to win, and win by a large margin, it was a tough night for Pedro Martinez Losa's side.

Their performance was filled with defensive errors that England were able to capitalise on, putting six past Lee Gibson by the time the full time whistle blew.

The Scots came to life as the minutes ticked down and had a couple of late chances but it ultimately wasn't enough to make a dent in the five goal cushion England had already built and Lucy Bronze's injury-time goal added insult to injury.

There is no silver lining for the Scots either as Team GB's hopes of heading to the Olympics next summer were also dashed with the Netherlands' 4-0 win over Belgium.

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Scotland XI: Gibson, Clark, Corsie, Docherty, McLauchlan, Kerr, Cuthbert, Mukandi, Emslie, Hanson, Evans.

Substitutes: Fife, MacIver, Howard, MacLean, Brown, Lauder, Hay, Rodgers, Harrison, Davidson, Thomas, Napier.

England XI: Earps, Bronze, Greenwood, Morgan, Charles, Stanway, Walsh, Kirby, Mead, Hemp, James.

Substitutes: Carter, Hampton, Toone, Wubben-Moy, Zelem, Kelly, Clinton, Daly, Le Tissier, Keating, Turner, Russo.

Follow our coverage here.

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BBC Sport Scotland's Amy Canavan

Rachel Corsie admits Scotland "can challenge" England when they meet at Hampden on Tuesday night.

Much has been made of the Lionesses chance of winning Group A1 and keeping alive Team GB's hopes of making the Paris Olympics in 2024.

But the Scotland captain is adamant her side want to "end the year with a win" following a tough Nations League campaign where she believes

"We want to go into the game feeling good," she said. "That is one thing that we have to ensure we do. We have to get one another up for the game and I think when we do that we have huge quality and we can challenge them as well.

“In my time playing in the national team, it’s rare you get to play the top nations in competitive games outside of major tournaments really, now with the Nations League, that’s what we got.

"We got to be in Pot A, which is the pot we want to be in. Unfortunately we are not going to stay there, but the aim will be to get back there as soon as possible.

"Having the chance to consistently play against the top nations is a huge learning curve for us and ultimately, it has been small margins, which is the lesson."

On Tuesday's Scottish Football Podcast, the team look ahead to Scotland v England in the Women's Nations League with Glasgow City's Suzanne Lappin, and discuss Rachel Corsie’s comments that it’s "disrespectful" and "outrageous" to question the SWNT’s integrity.

• Subscribe and listen to full episodes of the Scottish Football Podcast.

BBC Scotland's Amy Canavan

Rachel Corsie believes captaining Scotland to victory over England at Hampden "would be amazing".

Scotland women will meet their English counterparts at the national stadium for the first time on Tuesday, the final match in the Nations League.

"I've captained Scotland to a win against England before, but not at Hampden," said Corsie, 34.

"That would be amazing. In my journey, the fact the national team now play here is an incredible honour.

"It is a stadium I grew up supporting in, being in the stands and knowing this is the pride of Scotland when it comes to football. The fact we are here means so much."

With relegation to League B confirmed by Friday's draw in Belgium, Corsie reflected on Scotland's experience in Group A1.

"Having the chance to consistently play against the top nations is a huge learning curve for us and, ultimately, it has been small margins, which is the lesson," she said.

"A home game against England, the incentive to get a result is enormous and that'll be the plan."

Image source, SNS

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Amy Canavan, BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Pedro Martinez Losa said it was "totally inappropriate" to question the integrity of his Scotland players before their Nations League game with England on Tuesday.

England are the nominated country to represent Team GB at Paris 2024, but they are second in their Nations League group and may need a big victory to keep their Olympic hopes alive.

The Spaniard said there has been "no conversation" had on the Olympics.

"I don't feel happy about the questioning of the integrity of the Scottish players," said the head coach.

"Scotland is a wonderful country, with wonderful people, they are very passionate about everything and nobody for one second should question the integrity of the players and how much they want to represent their nation.

"The feeling of this group is to represent thousands of girls and boys who are coming to watch and inspire all these people - that is stronger than anything. I feel the question is totally inappropriate.

"Our motivation is our fans, to play good football, to beat England and improve the aspects we have to improve as a team. This is something we couldn't affect and is part of the competition. We have been trying to stay away from that, there is no conversation to have.

"My opinion of the question of the integrity is very negative. Everyone who knows me, the players, the team know how strong the feeling is for players to represent their country.

"I do not think there is any other feeling that will be on the pitch. I wish this was not the situation, I am not sure what the solution will be in the future but I do not want my players to be in this situation."

Pedro Martinez Losa has been speaking to the media as final preparations for Scotland's Nations League game against England on Tuesday take place.

Here's the key points from his press conference:

• He is excited about finishing off the campaign in front of a home crowd at Hampden and against a "high level opponent" like England.

• The head coach has been unhappy with the "very negative" questioning of players' integrity with an Olympics spot at stake - England need to beat Scotland for Team GB to have a chance of securing their place - players are desperate to represent their nation and Olympics question hasn't come into conversation.

• England haven't won away from home in their Nations League group, Scotland "can stop them winning" at Hampden.

• He added the squad are "focused" on qualifying for the Euros via a different route.

• The Spainard confirmed Erin Cuthbert given the all clear and is available for selection despite her injury against Belgium.

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Scotland are "due a big result" as Pedro Martinez Losa's side get set to host England in their final Women's Nations League Group A1 game on Tuesday.

That's according to BBC Scotland journalist and commentator Thomas Duncan, who told the Scottish Football Podcast that the national team have the chance to "do themselves justice" against the Auld Enemy at Hampden.

Scotland have already been resigned to bottom of the group and relegation into Nations League B for the next instalment of the tournament.

England are in need of a big win if they have any hope of pipping the Netherlands to the top spot, with ramifications for Team GB's hopes of being at the Paris Olympics next summer.

"I think England have struggled a bit since the come down from the World Cup, and they've obviously had a few injuries, but they would have expected to win this group," Duncan said.

"They obviously lost to Belgium, which was a big surprise, lost one to the Netherlands as well.

"It was a great comeback the other night [against the Netherlands] but I don't think they are firing on all cylinders. So that's an opportunity for Scotland, especially at home.

"I think the players deserve backing, especially in a big game like this, and I think they're due a big performance and a big result against a good side.

"It's been a while since the Scotland women's national team won a game that you wouldn't expect them to win. Where they've made a statement and they've kind of turned the odds and you go, wow, what a result that was.

"You're not guaranteed anything, but I feel like they're due a big performance. And hopefully it comes tomorrow night and they do themselves justice but England have got threats all over the pitch."

• Will Scotland scupper Team GB's Olympic hopes? Subscribe and listen to full episodes of BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

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On Monday's Scottish Football Podcast, Amy Canavan is joined by journalist and commentator Thomas Duncan and BBC entertainment correspondent – and Tartan Army diehard – Colin Paterson to discuss the Euro 2024 draw and hear what Scotland song will be played at Colin's funeral.

They also look back on the weekend’s action, including Brendan Rodgers' half-time fury, Philippe Clement's man management and Barry Robson's run of results.

There's also a wee preview of Scotland v England in the Women’s Nations League as the Auld Enemy head to Hampden on Tuesday night.

• Subscribe and listen to full episodes of BBC's Scottish Football Podcast

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Scotland's Amy Canavan in Leuven

It was a special moment for Hayley Lauder as she ran out onto the pitch in a Scotland jersey for the first time since March 2020.

The Glasgow City stalwart admitted that she was surprised to receive a phone call to join the squad, but she now wants to help her teammates and make a positive impact.

"It's brilliant [to be back]," Lauder said. "After three-and-a-half years, I started to think it wouldn't happen. It's amazing. Result aside, it is amazing to be back.

"For things to be so new, like the coaching staff, there are still so many people I'm close with here. I've loved it [being back] so far.

"Yeah I did [think ship had sailed] but I worked hard. I have to thank Glasgow City, they kept me going and kept me believing.

"I was surprised, but I don't want to come back and just go away with the team, I want to help."

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Image source, SFA

Scotland are desperate for more success on international stage, says captain Rachel Corsie.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side were confined to the bottom of Nations League Group A1 following their 1-1 draw with Belgium on Friday and will be relegated to League B as a result.

Scotland head into their final game of the group - at home to England on Tuesday - without a win. They have lost three and drawn two.

"We're competitive," said Corsie. "We want to win a lot more often than we are at the moment. It's a tough feeling but it's one that we're in together.

"We'll look forward to Tuesday because it's an opportunity to play against a really good team. We want to try and get a win."

Image source, SFA

Scotland have been hampered by a lack of quality in their Nations League campaign but are relishing the chance to play against top opposition, says captain Rachel Corsie.

Friday's 1-1 draw with Belgium means they will finish bottom of the group and be relegated to Nations League B.

Of their five group games so far, Pedro Martinez Losa's side have lost three and drawn two.

Corsie suggested the result was evidence of a lack of quality but insisted they will learn from the disappointing results.

"I think it's a tough lesson," she said. "This is the top level. It's tight margins.

"I think we have more than enough of the ball and we have to create better opportunities for ourselves. We just didn't quite have enough quality in the areas we need it.

"I think it is a big learning curve for us. We don't often get the chance to play against these top sides in competitive fixtures.

"Netherlands away was tough, but other than that, we've really been in it. We've shown a lot of positives, but at the end of the day, it's not what we wanted."

Sean McGill, BBC Sport Scotland

Once again, Scotland fans are left feeling frustrated after another tale of what could have been.

As they have been in almost every outing in this quality-laden group, this team fought. They scratched and they clawed, but it wasn't enough.

Their display in Leuven was perhaps the most confident and mature they've been in this competition, as if the bruisings they've faced in recent months had almost battered them into a belief that they belong.

The manager didn't rest on his laurels, making attacking change after attacking change in search of a winner. The quality to find the breakthrough was once again lacking. Alas, the killer instinct has not yet been instilled in his squad of technical talents.

Now that relegation is confirmed, there's hope that they can learn their lessons and rebuild faith by putting a run of results together en route to the Euros and in future Nations League outings in Group B.

If they do so, while adding finishing touches to this youthful team, the international heavyweights may just be in for a shock when Scotland next show up to the top table.

Erin Cuthbert (left) dragged Scotland back into the contest and was tidy in possession before going off injured late on.

And, of course, there was that absolute stunner. She never fails to amaze.

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