SCOTLAND SET TARGET FOR EUROS PLACE
SCOTLAND kick off their European Championship campaign against Serbia in Leskovac tonight.
And Spanish boss Pedro Martinez Losa reckons his women’s side will show they have improved.
Scotland failed to make it to last season’s FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and followed that up with a sobering Nations League campaign.
Martinez Losa, though, is confident that small improvements will be shown with qualification for Switzerland next year.
And he believes the failure of missing out on a ticket to last season’s World Cup will enhance Scotland’s appetite.
He said: “The biggest motivation, apart from that experience together, it gives you the mental preparation to face the next opportunity.
“We discussed it after the game at Hampden and I said I promise that football always gives you another opportunity.
“It will be difficult after that day but it is about being prepared for the next opportunity and hopefully it arrives soon, which I think it will.”
Despite a Nations League campaign that ended in a 6-0 defeat to England at Hampden, there were individual moments in games where Scotland’s progress could be measured.
“We are a totally different team. There are still areas to improve but we have improved,” said Martinez Losa.
“It is what we have been waiting for, competitive games and we are looking forward to starting.
“I think you have been able to see that there has been progress.
“It was a very tough Nations League campaign but when you look at how we played against better ranked sides at individual moments you can see there were signs of us competing at that level.”
Scotland captain Rachel Corsie has accepted there is pressure on the side as they look to make an impression on this qualification campaign.
“There is a little bit of pressure,” said the defender.
“Obviously we are disappointed with the World Cup campaign and the Euros before that although that feels like a long time ago.
“Everyone is really excited. We are in a good place. It is exciting to come into this group and know this is now the competitive games.
“These are tough fixtures but we feel if we perform well then we can get good results.”