Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Budaorsi Stadion

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When asked what she was expecting in Tuesday's rematch against Israel, Jane Ross replied: "Our goal is go and win the game and stay top of the group."

It's as simple as that, she assured me.

The 34-year-old is used to being at the top. A trophy-laden spell with Glasgow City was followed with successful stints down south in the Women's Super League with both Manchester clubs, as well as West Ham.

Since returning to Scotland, Ross has been a part of the growth of her childhood club, Rangers, in the SWPL.

She hasn't slowed down on the international scene either and made her 150th appearance in the dark blue on Friday. Unsurprisingly, the overriding emotion was pride.

"It’s a huge honour," she said after the squad's final training session before taking on Israel in Hungary.

"I love representing my country, to have done it once was a dream come, to reach 150 caps is amazing."

Since making her debut in 2009, Ross' role has evolved, parallel to the game. Most recently she's been added to the 'leadership' team as one of the elder stateswomen of the squad.

How did that come about?

"It’s just kind of happened, if I’m being honest!" said Ross.

"Obviously having that leadership role within the group, I’m there for the younger players if they ever need anything and I bring what I can experience wise to the group."

With six years of WSL experience, and a title with Man City in addition to a hoard of honours with Glasgow City, she has plenty of wisdom to impart.

Having reached the 150th-cap milestone on Friday, Scotland and Rangers striker Jane Ross says it is a "huge honour" to hit the tally.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

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Pedro Martinez Losa hailed the "professionalism" of Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson who recently lost her number one spot to Sandy MacIver before her injury.

The Manchester City shot-stopper ruptured her ACL in the opening minutes of Scotland's Group B2 opener against Serbia and was replaced by Gibson.

The Glasgow City goalkeeper kept a clean sheet against Slovakia, in her first start since the 6-0 defeat to England before backing it up with an "outstanding" performance against Israel in Friday's 4-1 win.

Gibson pulled off three wonderful saves to deny Israel at clinical moments in the match, and they didn't go unnoticed by the the head coach.

"Her experience and leadership is unbelievable for the group," the Spaniard said in advance of their second meeting with Israel in four days.

"She always took every situation with professionalism and with the best interest of the group, putting the team in front of her own interests and we really appreciate that.

!It makes our work with the young ones easier and we are very proud of that and I am very happy she put that performance in on Friday night.

“She was outstanding, but it was never in doubt."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Budapest

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Pedro Martinez Losa spoke to us in Budapest following Scotland's final training session before their Euro 2025 qualifying match against Israel in Budapest tomorrow.

Here are the key points the head coach made:

• After Friday's win against Israel took Scotland top of Group B2, he said "that is probably where we expected to be" after two wins, and one draw.

• The Spaniard was pleased to see four goals scored and said "new solutions" for the squad to score had been worked on and found.

• His sole focus is on Scotland and how they can improve from Friday, noting he wants more "competitiveness" and to eradicate "the slipping of standards in moments".

• The head coach highlighted Lee Gibson's performance on Friday as "outstanding" and added her leadership in the group is "unbelievable".

• He confirmed his full squad is available for selection after Leah Eddie joined the team from the Under-23's after Sarah Ewens picked up an injury.

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Leah Eddie has been drafted into Pedro Martinez Losa's Scotland squad, replacing new Rangers team-mate Sarah Ewens.

23-year-old Eddie became Jo Potter's first signing of the summer on Thursday as the defender returned to the Glasgow club following a five year-stint at Hibs.

With two international caps already, she will now join up with the national team ahead of their behind-closed-doors Euro 2025 qualifier against Israel in Hungary on Tuesday.

Scotland thrashed Israel 4-1 in a protestor delayed first encounter on Friday.

Forward Ewens has also two caps, but has now dropped out of the squad.

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Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa praised the focus of his team in the 4-1 victory over Israel that moved them top of their Euro 2025 qualifying group.

"I want to raise the professionalism of the team," he said.

"Not only the focus of the players but also the staff in challenging circumstances. Our main focus and inspiration is for Scotland to qualify for the Euros and we have to be at the top of the group, where we are now, we have to win games and that's what we remained focussed on"

"I've always been proud of this team. Obviously when we put in a good performance I think it's a good reward and it's a good moment to recognise Jane Ross for 150 caps, we were celebrating that in the dressing room"

"The way we played in the first half was excellent. We created a lot of opportunities and I think that's something we want to repeat."

"I've already said, I cannot control speculation. My focus is and has been here."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland moved top of their group after overcoming Israel in a Women's Euro 2025 qualifier that was played behind closed doors and delayed by a protester at Hampden Park.

The Scottish FA decided not to allow spectators in to the national stadium because of security concerns.

Hundreds of protesters gathered pre-match outside the stadium over Israel's military operation in Gaza while an individual breached security and chained himself to a goalpost to delay kick-off by 30 minutes.

When the game got under way, Scotland were rampant in one of their finest first-half performances under manager Pedro Martinez Losa, who has been linked with the vacancy at Lyon.

Read the full report here.

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A protester has chained himself to the goalposts at Scotland’s Women's Euro 2025 qualifier against Israel at Glasgow's Hampden Park.

The match has been delayed after the man used a heavy duty lock to secure himself to the posts in protest at Israel's military operation in Gaza.

The Israeli team was then led off the pitch.

The match is being played behind closed doors for security reasons, but some reports said the demonstrator may have been mistaken for a steward as he had been wearing a high-vis vest.

• Read the full story

Former Scotland international Suzanne Lappin says Scotland's meeting with Israel being stages behind closed doors could be damaging to the growth of women's football in the country.

Listen to the full podcast here.

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Former Scotland defender Joelle Murray believes national team boss Pedro Martinez Losa should have squashed rumours of his departure if there was no credence to them.

The Spaniard dismissed news reports suggesting he is in the frame for the vacant Lyon job as "speculation", adding "now is not the moment to speak about anything other than Scotland and the importance of the game tomorrow."

He also said he had been "clear" with the group ahead of their Euro 2025 double header with Israel.

But Murray, who has 48 caps for her country, cast doubt on his response on BBC Radio Scotland.

"For me, that is always going to be the party line reply in situations like this," she said.

"If there was nothing in the rumours, I think the best thing to do - and the thing the [Scottish Football] Association would have advised him to do - was come out and absolutely squash those rumours.

"The way he's communicated it, he uses "clear", but for me there's absolutely no clarity in that reply. We could potentially be hearing more to come.

"If I was Pedro Martinez Losa, and there was nothing in it and I was completely committed to the national team, I would certainly absolutely squash those rumours."

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Scotland defender Sophie Howard says she is playing some of the best football of her career having come up with key moments for the national side.

The centre-back scored the winner at Hampden against Slovakia to kickstart this Euro 2025 qualifying campaign, having also grabbed a late leveller against Belgium in the Nations League.

Howard will be expected to line up alongside captain Rachel Corsie against Israel on Friday at Hampden as Scotland aim to take control of Group B2.

"I'm enjoying my football and that's why I'm producing those levels," she said. "This group brings the best out of one another.

"It's working for me - but the whole team too. Four points from the first two games is a strong start. It's the quality of the group is what allows me to perform."

Scotland are yet to concede after games against Serbia and Slovakia, but have only managed that single Howard goal so far.

The Leicester City defender says finding the back of the net has been "a big focus" in training, but not just for the forward players.

"We always say defending starts from the front line and scoring goals starts with us defenders.

"We're looking to score more goals but that means we need to allow the strikers to get better chance.

"So it's a collective effort to go out and score more goals than we have."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa has been speaking to the media before Friday's Euro 2025 qualifier against Israel at Hampden.

Here are the key points:

• Preparations have been "very good" over in Spain and Scotland are "really motivated" to go and take on Israel at Hampden.

• The whole squad is fit and ready for the game.

• The fact it is behind closed doors is done "with the best interests of everyone" in mind by organisers with protests expected.

• Scotland are keeping "maximum focus" on the game and Martinez Losa had a chat with the "leadership group" about the situation, but everyone is focused on playing.

• The Scotland boss confirmed he addressed the squad after speculation linking him to the Lyon job, and reiterated he was "totally committed" to Scotland.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Israel should not prove overly troublesome opponents for Scotland in Friday's Euro 2025 qualifier at Hampden.

The Israelis have lost both of their opening games in the group - 2-0 away to Slovakia and 4-2 at “home” in Hungary against Serbia.

They earned a place in this group as a result of an impressive Nations League campaign, though, dropping just two points to earn promotion from League C against Estonia, Kazakhstan and Armenia.

In a significant blow to their hopes of pulling off a shock, they have lost Sharon Beck to injury. The 29-year-old scored nine goals in four games in that Nations League campaign but will miss both games against the Scots, while veteran Karin Sendel has retired from the national team.

Many of the current squad play in the Israeli league, including former Glasgow City player Vital Kats, who is one of a number to represent the domestic champions Kiryat Gat.

A handful of the squad ply their trade abroad, from the USA to Spain, Turkey and Germany, where both Noa Selimhodzic and Maria Almasri helped Turbine Potsdam win the Bundesliga 2 this season.

Scotland goalkeeper Lee Gibson talks to the media about manager Pedro Martinez Losa's future