Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Casablanca

Image source, SNS

Scotland will now face Morocco at Stade Pere Jego in Casablanca on Friday after the hosts changed the stadium.

Melissa Andreatta's side were due to play the first of their two October friendlies at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in the Moroccan city before hosting Switzerland at Dunfermline's East End Park on Tuesday.

But the Scots were informed of the change on Wednesday, hours before they flew to Africa.

Andreatta takes charge of her third Scotland game after beginning her reign with a defeat to Austria and a draw in the Netherlands in the Nations League.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Oriam

Image source, SNS

The international football calendar allows little time for friendlies these days.

Some love the intensity, the pressure, that every game brings. But for others, particularly those in need of a reset, it means little opportunity to "try new things" is presented.

Thankfully for a fresh-faced Scotland, they have four friendlies to do just that before their World Cup qualifying campaign begins in February.

Starting against Morocco on Friday, there is a feeling this is the true beginning of Melissa Andreatta's reign - after a defeat and draw earlier this year to close out the Nations League campaign kicked off her time as head coach off.

It brings about understandable excitement for the Scotland squad who spent another summer on the sofa following their failure to qualify for Euro 2025.

"It's unique to have four friendlies that give us an opportunity to really kind of hone in on details," midfielder Caroline Weir said.

"When you have Nations League games, it's all about results. Whereas now - yes, of course, we want to win and that's really important - I think we can maybe try new things, work on the training pitch and try it in these matches.

"We want good results this week, we need that. We need that momentum, that confidence and, alongside that, is obviously performance.

"Working out exactly how we want to play, what our identity is going to be moving forward with Mel and the new staff, with some new players as well.

"We want to win and it's all preparation for the World Cup qualifiers next year.

"That's where our focus is, but, obviously, it starts here."

Image source, SNS

Scotland caps Eilidh Adams and Emma Watson have been named in Michael McArdle's Under-23 squad for this month's friendlies against Sweden and Italy.

Hibernian striker Adams, who gained her three full caps under McArdle when he was interim head coach earlier this year, was again omitted from Melissa Andreatta's A squad, having missed the head coach's first camp in the spring.

Teenager Watson, who burst onto the scene in 2023, was one of four changes from the Australian's senior squad, which was named on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old, who is on loan at Crystal Palace from Manchester United, has three goals in 12 senior appearances, but this is her first under-23 call-up.

Celtic goalkeeper Lisa Rodgers and Newcastle United attacker Jasmine McQuade have also received their first call-ups.

Defender Georgia Brown and forward Mia McAulay, who were both involved in the last under-23 squad, are part of the senior squad to take on Morocco and Switzerland.

McArdle's side will host the Swedes at Stark's Park on Thursday, 23 October (19:00 BST) before travelling to Florence to face the Italians four days later (13:30).

Scotland's Caroline Weir scored twice in Real Madrid's 6-2 Women's Champions League win over Roma. (Herald - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Image source, SNS

Head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to the media after announcing her Scotland squad for this month's friendlies against Morocco and Switzerland.

Here are the points:

• This is "the right time" to call up Under-23s defender Georgia Brown for the first time because she brings "an aerial threat, composure and an ability to play".

• These friendlies present "an opportunity to really look at players, our playing idea and things we think are going to help us for World Cup qualification".

• The trip to Casablanca "replicates going from the south of Brazil to the north", something Scotland might need to do should they qualify for the 2027 World Cup, and therefore "exposes everybody to the potential challenges".

• Following Rachel Corsie's retirement, Andreatta hasn't named a new captain and wants to "take time" in making the decision.

• Andreatta wants to "embrace the awesome challenge" of reaching a first major tournament and these friendlies offer "a great opportunity" to prepare.

• She adds "the support of our world-class, passionate supporters, could be the edge" in achieving their dream.

Image source, SNS

Scotland defender Jamie-Lee Napier has become former Rangers manager Jo Potter's first signing at Crystal Palace.

Full-back Napier, 25, joins Palace - who were relegated to WSL 2 last season - on a two-year deal after captaining Bristol City in the second tier.

The former Chelsea defender - who was named SWPL player of the year in 2018 after scoring 22 goals in 33 appearances for Hibs - says she "shares the club's values, goals and ambitions".

Napier will have a familiar face in fellow Scotland international Chloe Arthur, who has been at Palace since 2022.

Image source, SNS

Scotland should take a "long, hard look at ourselves" for failing to reach this summer's Women's Euro 2025, says former goalkeeper Gemma Fay.

Fay, Scotland's most capped player with 203 appearances, says the nation simply "must have aspirations" of getting back to major tournaments after failing to qualify in their previous three attempts.

Since reaching the 2019 World Cup, the Scots have missed out on back-to-back European Championships and the 2023 World Cup.

Asked on BBC Sportsound how Scotland take that next step, Fay responded: "We have to. We have to have the aspirations if that's where we want to be.

"We should be at these finals, and the ones before, and we should take a long, hard look at ourselves as to why we're not."

Now led by head coach Melissa Andreatta, Fay has been encouraged by the new boss' start after being appointed in April.

A narrow home defeat to Austria consigned the Scots to Nations League A relegation, but a draw away to the Netherlands prompted praise.

"It was good performance against the Netherlands," Fay added. "I like [Andreatta's] style. It goes back to that mentality. We always have pride in how we fight.

"I like the initial things I've seen from her, but the challenge she has is now is how she gets the quality of opposition for this team to be able to compete against [Nations League] A teams."

We asked for your views on Scotland's 1-1 draw away to Netherlands in their final Nations League outing and Melissa Andreatta's second match in charge.

Here's what some of you said:

Iain: It's the first time in recent years that I've seen a Scottish women's team have a go. Great to watch the second half especially.

Colin: A great performance from the Scottish Women. Well deserved. We move on.

Gordon: Definitely an improvement, great second half.

Scott C: What a fantastic battling performance. So much improvement.

Miller: Well off the pace defensively for the first 20 minutes but grew into the game. Intensity was much better in the second half. Great to see Mia McAulay, Kathleen McGovern, Emma Lawton and Kirsty Maclean doing well, four promising young players.

Dave: The best I've seen from this team in years, that took the game forward instead of sitting back and waiting.

Liz: Much better game, especially second half! Great to see.

Douglas: Much-improved performance from the sometimes dire stuff over the last few years. Making things happen instead of hoping they would happen. Restoring my faith in watching some exciting football again from them.

Pat: Let's give credit when it's due. Erin Cuthbert was immense.

Jim: Four halves of football, and you could see the improvement in each half. That second half was the best I've seen Scotland play in at least five years. Good to see a system where Caroline Weir and Cuthbert looked like the world-class players they are.

Ellie: Lots more energy and promise under the new coach, hopefully a start of a good new era in Scottish football.

Franny: That was a good positive performance by the ladies. The new coach seems to be instilling a belief in the players, that can only stand us in good stead going forward.

Image source, Scottish FA

Hibs striker Kathleen McGovern hopes her maiden Scotland goal is the first of many after opening her account on just her second international start.

The 22-year-old received her first senior call-up for the final Nations League games against Austria and Netherlands and started both under new manager Melissa Andreatta.

The forward, who last month helped Hibs lift their first SWPL trophy in 18 years, scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw away to the Dutch on Tuesday night as Scotland secured their first point.

"It's been nice to start both games, something I didn't really expect," McGovern said.

"It's been a privilege this week and it was just great to see the ball hit the back of the net. I don't really think it's sunk in yet.

"It was a great delivery by Emma [Lawton], she knew exactly where to put it, and I was just so happy to see it hit the back of the net and get a great result for the team.

"It's been good to work with her [Andreatta], she's had so much belief in me. I've learned so much, especially from her, and the players I've been working with. I hope there's many more to come.

"I was flying on confidence when I first came in. To end the season at Hibs on such a high to then get the call-up was amazing to top off a great season.

"I came in and didn't want to put too much pressure on myself. I feel like that's what I did in training, just showed my ability, and I've been grateful to start the last two games."

After Melissa Andreatta's second game in charge, has your opinion changed on the new manager? What did you make of the 1-1 draw away to the Netherlands?

Let us know your thoughts