McArdle 'proud' ahead of first Scotland game
Interim Scotland head coach Michael McArdle speaks to BBC Scotland about the new players in the group and how he feels ahead of his first match in charge.
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesLawton scored in Celtic's Champions League qualifier against Vorskla Poltava
"Energy and directness" that's what Scotland interim manager Michael McArdle is expecting from first time call up Emma Lawton.
And the full-back has had a pretty incredible few months.
Lawton signed for Celtic in September, making the step up from part-time Partick Thistle to the professional Scottish champions.
Fast forward two weeks and the defender started, and scored, in the Glasgow side's final Champions League qualifier.
She has been called up for Scotland at Under-23 level, but this camp is her first foray into the senior set up.
Former Scotland international Leanne Crichton told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast: "I'm excited to see the likes of Emma Lawton in there.
"She's in such a fine bit of form just now and she's a big reason Celtic are at the top of the table, joint with the other four. Her performances this season, at Champions League level as well, she's kept those consistency levels.
"I'm excited to see her. It's probably been a position as well, right wing-back, that has changed an awful lot over the years for Scotland. Performance wise, I just don't feel there's been consistency.
"It's probably up for grabs and if you really go and stamp your authority you can make it your own. I know Emma will be looking to try and do that."
The full-back clearly isn't phased by big occasions. Just 10 days after joining Elena Sadiku's side, Lawton came off the bench in the crucial first leg Champions League play-off tie against Vorskla.
She clearly impressed and was given the nod to start in the second leg, getting Celtic off the mark in the second half with a cracking goal to put Sadiku's side in the driving seat for the remainder of the half.
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesInterim Scotland manager Michael McArdle has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face Austria in their Nations League opener on Friday.
Here are the main points:
McArdle says the nine changes to the squad from the defeat to Finland are an attempt to "freshen up" ahead of a new campaign.
Says he's "disappointed" to lose Erin Cuthbert through injury but is looking forward to getting her back in the squad for future games.
On Emma Lawton specifically, the interim boss likes the fullback's "energy and directness" on the pitch as well as in the training ground.
Says Austria will likely be "unpredictable" given their change in head coach but is fully focused on how Scotland perform and preparing as well as possible.
McArdle wants to bring "energy" back to the supporters and the squad after the Euro 2025 disappointment and insists it's "down to us" to reconnect with the fans.
Says it's a "proud moment" for him to take charge but is mainly focused on supporting the players "as best as possible".
"Relishing" the chance to come up against top opposition in League A.
Adds he has "an excellent leadership group" as Caroline Weir prepares to take the armband.
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSEmma Lawton is one of six uncapped players to be included in McArdle's squad
Caroline Weir says the first Scotland camp of 2025 has felt "like the first day of school" with six uncapped players joining the ranks.
Interim head coach Michael McArdle has brought in ten different players to the squad that suffered defeat against Finland in their two-legged Euro 2025 play-off final at the tail end of last year.
Celtic defender Emma Lawton, Hearts midfielder Eilidh Shore, Hibernian forward Eilidh Adams, goalkeeper Erin Clachers, winger Mia McAulay and Newcastle United midfielder Freya Gregory - who represented England at youth level - have all been called up, none of whom have earned a senior cap for the Scots.
However, the Real Madrid midfielder says even the more experienced players are feeling the nerves as a "new cycle" kicks in: "It's a bit of both [nerves and excitement],
"Even senior players coming in, it's all new for us as well. A lot of new faces, it's not quite like the first day of school but it's kind of similar in some ways.
"We had a welcome on Monday night and it was very clear about how the week was going to look in terms of training and just how Michael likes to work.
"So for players, that's key. Things being as clear as possible and Michael's definitely tried to do that from the outset.
"We're excited and I think it always feels best when we're on the pitch and get a couple of training sessions done and everyone starts to relax a little bit."
Weir yearns for a big international tournament
Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSCaroline Weir addressed the media after linking up with the Scotland women's national team before their first game of 2025 on Friday against Austria.
Here are the key things she said:
Scotland are "done looking back" on failure in Finland to reach this summer's Euros, and with new, interim manager Mick McArdle at the helm, she said it's "a fresh start for all of us".
The Real Madrid midfielder insisted Scotland "gave everything" to qualify and "the disappointment hit everyone really hard".
"Time will tell" if Scotland have learned their lessons from the past campaign but the "excitement and nerves" are there to start a fresh cycle and make it a successful campaign for Scotland.
Weir confirmed she would be captain for these two games in Rachel Corsie's absence, and reiterated it's "a huge honour".
On the loss of Erin Cuthbert to injury, Weir said she's "gutted" as the Chelsea midfielder is "an integral part of the squad on and off the pitch".
Image source, Getty ImagesFreya Gregory (right) was a team-mate of Scotland international Kirsty Hanson at Aston Villa
"Vibrant" Freya Gregory will "fit in really well" when she joins the Scotland squad for the first time next week, believes captain and former team-mate, Rachel Corsie.
Former England youth international Gregory received her first call-up last week when interim head coach Michael McArdle named her in his first squad for the Nations League openers against Austria and the Netherlands later this month.
The 22-year-old joined Newcastle United last month having spent the previous five years at Aston Villa, where she was a team-mate of Corsie's.
"I'm actually really excited for Freya," Corsie said of Gregory - who spent the last six months on loan at Southampton - on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.
"About nine months ago we had a conversation - she's spent a bit of time in Scotland in the last couple of years and she'll always send me a message whenever she's in Edinburgh exploring.
"I'm excited for her. She's a promising young player, she's got an excellent left foot, she's 100mph and she's very competitive - that's the football side of her.
"I'd describe her as a vibrant character with a lot of personality, I think she'll fit in really well. I know the girls will look after her and I hope she has a really good week and she trains really well because I know that she'll be very nervous."
Gregory will have a familiar face in Kirsty Hanson, who she also shared a dressing room with at Villa, but, she won't have Corsie herself who suffered another set-back on her return to fitness.
"I was a bit down last week and I wasn't mentally in a position to talk about it, it was very raw," the 35-year-old, who hasn't played for Scotland since July, said.
"I was meant to be back with the team this week and I got a little scare, I thought I'd irritated something worse than I had.
"It's not as worrying as I thought it might have been - I'm still probably a couple of weeks away from being back in with the team - at one point it was looking like a few more weeks than it actually is going to be.
"When you've been injured you feel everything a bit more and that just brings a bit of anxiety with it and I panicked.
"I'm feeling a bit better this week and just trying to get over this hurdle."
Listen and subscribe to the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast here
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHearts midfielder Eilidh Shore is one of six players called up by Scotland for the first time
Michael McArdle said he is "a servant leader" and his aim as Scotland interim head coach is to allow the players "to be the best version of themselves".
McArdle will take charge of the national team for their opening two Nations League A games against Austria and the Netherlands later this month as the search continues for a permanent successor to the sacked Pedro Martinez Losa.
It will be the first meet-up since the Euro 2025 play-off pain in Finland in December, and McArdle is anticipating some players will still find it "difficult" when they come back next week.
"My full focus just now is just on the camp," he said.
"It's about the players more importantly. My leadership style is very servant, I'm a servant leader, so I'm here to make sure I can allow the players and the staff to be the best version of themselves moving forward.
"It'll be difficult for some because they've got that kind of feeling from the last cycle."
When asked about this squad - which has 10 new faces from the Finland roster - McArdle said "balance" is key.
"We need experience, we need a strong spine, and when you're including youth players and promoting youth players to these environments, it's crucial we surround them with that strength, quality and experience, so the balance is crucial," he added.
"The youth is crucial as well, because there is exciting talent coming through, so it's a moment in time where we need to recognise that. But, age is irrelevant, it's about who the best players are at this time."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSMichael McArdle has been speaking to the media after naming his first Scotland squad as interim head coach for the opening Nations League games.
Here are are the key things he said:
McArdle is "proud and honoured" to be appointed interim head coach and insists "the future is bright".
After making nine changes from the squad beaten by Finland in the Euros play-off final - including six uncapped players - he said now is a good time for "freshness", "looking forward to the future" and to "reward players".
He stressed it's an "exciting opportunity" for SWNT and added "he's been living" among the new generation of talent and so "doesn't just feel" they're the team who can get Scotland back to a major tournament.
McArdle's full focus in on the camp, not a potential permanent appointment. His remit is to have Scotland playing in League A consistently.
The interim head coach wants to bring "entertainment and energy" to the fanbase to excite them and win back their support.
McArdle confirmed Leanne Ross will be his assistant while Stewart Hall from Hibernian and Chris Flockhart will also join his staff.
In his role as head of women's elite football, McArdle added "alignment is vital" with the Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 set-ups.
He confirmed captain Rachel Corsie suffered another setback and is "several weeks" away from a return.
Image source, SNSScotland will play at Tannadice for the first time when they host Germany in their second home women's Nations League Group A1 game in April.
Scotland, guided by interim head coach Mick McArdle following Pedro Martinez Losa's exit in December, will kick-off their campaign later this month in Austria before welcoming the Netherlands to Hampden.
The national stadium remains SWNT's home, but, the Scots played both of their Euro 2025 play-off home legs at the end of last year at Easter Road, having hosted Serbia at Firhill in July, too.
The national team were last in Dundee in July 2023 for a friendly victory against Northern Ireland at Dens Park.
Tannadice will host the first match of a double-header with Germany, before Scotland round of their campaign at Hampden against Austria four days before they visit the Netherlands for their final game.
'You better be ready' - Kerr to Germany's stars
Speaking on the Behind the Goals podcast, Scotland's Sam Kerr looks forward to playing Germany in April.
Scotland midfielder Sam Kerr discusses her loan move from Bayern Munich to Liverpool on the latest episode of the Behind the Goals podcast.
Plus, Rachel Corise and Leanne Crichton look back at the weekend's SWPL semi-finals and ponder whether Rangers and Celtic are really moving to the WSL.
Image source, Getty ImagesScotland international Sandy MacIver has joined Washington Spirit from Manchester City on a three-year contract.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper made three appearances for City since joining from Everton in 2022.
"Thank you to all the players and support staff for making my time at this club a memorable one," MacIver posted on Instagram., external "I will miss being part of this team and wish everyone the best for the rest of the season.
"The fans are what make this club special, thank you for your incredible support. I've loved meeting you all at our games and your love for this team doesn't go unnoticed"
MacIver joins former City teammate Esme Morgan, who signed for the NWSL side in June.
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool have been interested in Sam Kerr since 2022
Liverpool are hoping to sign Scotland international Sam Kerr on loan from Bayern Munich this month.
The Women's Super League transfer window opened on 1 January and closes at 23:00 GMT on 30 January.
Manager Matt Beard said in December it is likely the club will sign just one player in January and sources say they hope it will be Kerr.
Liverpool have had long-standing interest in the 25-year-old midfielder and missed out on signing her in 2022.
Kerr joined Bayern in the summer of 2023 on a three-year deal and has made 13 appearances for the German side.
Image source, SNSPedro Martinez Losa has taken charge of Mexican side Tigres Femenil - just a week after his Scotland sacking.
The 48-year-old Spaniard was dismissed after play-off defeat by Finland cost Scotland qualification for Euro 2025.
It was a second failed attempt to reach a major tournament under Martinez Losa.
Tigres are currently second in the Mexican top flight, which gets back under way next month. Pedro Martinez's first game in charge is set to be on 7 January against Tijuana.
Image source, Getty"You start looking over your shoulder. You think, do things come in threes? What else is going to happen?"
Scotland and Aston Villa defender Rachel Corsie has been reflecting on a "very hard week" in which both her national team and club managers were sacked.
Pedro Martinez Losa paid the price for Scotland's failure to qualify for Euro 2025 when he was dismissed on 13 December, two days after Robert de Pauw left Villa following a six-month spell in charge.
"It has felt a very hard week. As a player you just have to go into that mode, we [Villa] also had midweek fixtures last week," said Corsie on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.
"You just have to rally and galvanise the players together. Being apart from Scotland, you touch base with as many people as you can or that have reached out to you.
"From a club perspective you're a little more in the thick of it, so it's been a difficult week with people losing their job around Christmas time. Any time is bad but [especially] around this time when you're building into a Christmas break.
"The [Villa] team managed to get a win on Wednesday night and a win on Sunday which has just slightly helped some of those heavy feelings.
"It's not been a nice week for me personally. As a player, in a tough way you almost have to put those emotions to the side."
Corsie has yet to make her playing comeback after knee surgery in early October.
She added: "With me being out injured it's helped me fulfil that role of trying to keep the players all together and just focus on the task ahead because I'm not in the emotional ups and downs of team selection and playing in the games where we've not had the results we would have liked to have had.
"I've tried to be that support, and the players have dealt with it really well."
