Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland in Nijmegen

I HAVE SEEN THE WEE CAR IN PERSON!

A hero to us all.

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland in Nijmegen

Aye, this ain't a bad wee ground, like.

Want an idea of how big a task this is for the Scots?

The Dutch are unbeaten in 16 home internationals since losing 2-0 to then world champions United States in November 2020.

Indeed, tonight's hosts have won the last 10 in a row.

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland in Nijmegen

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa confirmed midfielder Erin Cuthbert has not travelled with the squad to take on the Netherlands in Friday's Women's Nations League match.

The Chelsea midfielder "picked up a problem" before joining up with her international team-mates earlier this week for the double-header against the Netherlands.

But the Spaniard believes her absence provides "new opportunities to explore other options" within the squad against the side ranked sixth-best in Europe.

Scotland narrowly lost out to the Netherlands in a friendly last year, conceding an 88th-minute winner from Fenna Kalma.

Cuthbert, 25, who is yet to feature in this campaign is "desperate" to be with her country and, will "potentially" be available for the return leg against the Dutch at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, the head coach added.

Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa speaking to BBC Scotland on how preparations have been going for tonight's match: "Very good, There is a very good energy with the players and the staff and we feel good.

"Every day there is more energy in the preparation. It takes a bit of time to link everything together every camp but we have seen the players training at a very good level."

When asked if Erin Cuthbert travelled with the squad to the Netherlands, he said: "No she has not travelled.

"She will potentially be available for Tuesday but that is part of a conversation we had with her club and the player so we are giving her time to hopefully be ready for Tuesday."

Speaking during the run-up to this encounter, here's what the boss and Amy Gallacher had to say

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: "Missing the players that we are missing, we are fighting and making sure that they can all come back with the team and remember they have been part of the journey.

"This is an excellent opportunity to compete against one of the best sides in Europe. This is an incredible scenario where we want to be tested."

Scotland forward Amy Gallacher: "There is a real confidence in the team that we can take on any opponent. The squad has a lot of belief, nothing fazes us."

Image source, SNS

Thumbs up for a home win for the Netherlands

Thumbs down for a win on the road for Scotland

This is a highly scientific polling method so think it through...

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland in Nijmegen

Goffertstadion, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

A cracker of a stadium plonked in the middle of nowhere.

It gives university campus vibes.

It's quite the hike to get here, too. But what a scenic and serene jaunt it is.

Well, I might not be saying that at 11:30 tonight when I'm leaving in the pitch dark, mind...

The Netherlands have Vivianne Miedema to call upon once again, much to the dismay of Scotland.

Miedema returned to action for Arsenal after 11 months out injured as a late substitute in the Gunners' Women's Super League win at Bristol City.

Just how good is she?

Heading into the current 2023/24 season, she holds the record for the most goals in a single WSL game (six), the most goals in a single season (22) and the most goals in WSL history.

At international level, she's equally as impressive.

95 goals in 115 games in all competitions.

Yes, you read that correctly, no need to adjust the dials. Ninety-five in one hundred and fifteen.

Image source, SNS

The 31-year-old also emphasised how much she, and the rest of the squad, want to be successful as a national side.

“I want to qualify for as many major tournaments as I can for Scotland," she added.

“I think it is a place to be and having that sniff at the World Cup before was fantastic for us as a group of players.

“Obviously that disappointment against Ireland [World Cup qualifying play-off defeat last October] is something that we have removed immediately because we know that we deserve to be at these major tournaments and that is something that I really want to do.

“The point against Belgium could go a long way in this group and there are points being dropped elsewhere in this group.

“So we know it is important that we don’t look too far ahead and that we focus on the next game which is the Netherlands.”

Image source, SNS

Nicola Docherty has stressed that the Scotland Women’s team are behind head coach Pedro Martinez Losa “all the way”.

The Spaniard, who took over in 2021, signed a new contract until 2027 last month and is in the midst of a tough Nations League campaign with a crucial double-header against the Netherlands kicking off this evening.

Scotland lost 2-1 to England in their League A Group 1 opener before a late Sophie Howard strike rescued a 1-1 draw with Belgium at Hampden.

The Scots face the Dutch in Nijmegen on Friday night before the sides meet again at Hampden Park next Tuesday and Rangers skipper Docherty is pleased at her boss’ long-term plans.

The full-back said: “We back Pedro all the way. You can see the improvements that have come.

“I know the results haven’t (been there) in terms of the last couple of games but you can see the improvements all the time under Pedro.

“The attention to detail on the training pitch from Pedro and his staff is fantastic and we support all the way."

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland in Nijmegen

The Scots sit bottom of the League A section with one point, earned in dramatic fashion last time out. Sophie Howard's 94th-minute header secured a point against Belgium at Hampden.

That draw came after an impressive showing in defeat against World Cup finalists England.

The second half of the game in particular provided Martinez Losa with the evidence that his group, who have missed out on the last two major tournaments, can compete with the best nations in the world.

"We have a long journey now of being consistent in performance and competing against big teams. We know we will do it again [against the Netherlands]," he said.

The Dutch are second in the group with three points beating England - managed by Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman - 2-1 with a 90-minute winner on matchday two.

Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema has to make do with a place on the Dutch bench following her return from a serious knee ligament on Sunday against Bristol City.

Perhaps not surprisingly, head coach Andries Jonker makes only one change to the side that defeated England 2-1 last time out.

Manchester City's Kerstin Casparij, who can also play in midfield but looks to be starting in central defence, replaces the equally experienced Arsenal midfielder, Victoria Pelova, who drops to the bench.

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa has been shorn of four key midfielders with Real Madrid's Caroline Weir injured last time out against Belgium, since then Bayern Munich's Sam Kerr has picked up a problem and with Chelsea's Erin Cuthbert and Manchester United's Emma Watson still missing.

So in come Bristol City's Amy Rodgers for her third cap and Rangers 18-year-old Kirsty Maclean for her fourth.

A big night for those two. No pressure like!

Image source, SNS

Netherlands: Van Domselaar, R. Jansen, Dijkstra, Casparij, Brugts, Groenen, Spitse, Van de Donk, Roord, Beerensteyn, Martens

Substitutes: Weimar, Lorsheyd, Wilms, Olislagers, Van Dongen, Miedema, Baijings, Snoeijs, Pelova, Kaptein, Auée, Egurrola

Scotland: Gibson, Docherty, Howard, Corsie, McLauchlan, Grimshaw, Rodgers, Maclean, Emslie, Hanson, Thomas

Substitutes: Fife, MacIver, Hill, Brown, Gallacher, Evans, Smith, Clark, Howat, Davidson, Cornet, Napier

Scotland face the Netherlands in the first of a crucial Women's Nation League double-header this evening.

Pedro Martinez Losa's side currently sit bottom of Group A1 with a sole point but tonight may be the night that their campaign kicks into life.

Stick with us for all the build-up, team news, and action right here.

Image source, Getty Images