Weir wants perfect build-up to Spanish test

CAROLINE WEIR is desperate to maintain Scotland’s perfect start to their World Cup qualifying campaign against Ukraine tomorrow night. Pedro Martinez Losa’s side have three wins from three so far in Group B and next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand is the ambitious target for the squad, albeit qualification via a play-off spot is probably their most realistic chance given the might of group rivals Spain, who they face next week. Tomorrow’s opponents Ukraine, who have just announced the appointment of ex-Barcelona women’s manager Lluis Cortes as their head coach, are likely to be rivals for that runners-up berth — with the Spanish clear favourites to top the group. It gives added weight to tomorrow’s clash at Hampden, with Manchester City star Weir anticipating a more robust game than Scotland’s 3-0 win when the teams last met in the Pinatar Cup just before Covid struck in March 2020. She said: ‘We definitely want a win tomorrow night and we have to be realistic. If we can get any points away to Spain next week we would definitely take that. ‘It will be tough and then, looking at the top seeds, Spain, it is our most difficult game. But it is exciting. ‘Friday is the biggest game. In terms of the group standings we need to win every home game to give us the best chance. ‘It’s Hampden on a Friday night, so what more can you ask for? ‘This is very early in the campaign. They are three games you would expect us to win on paper. We know games are tough and in the past people would look at Ukraine and think it would be simple but they will be hard to break down. We need to pick up as many points as we can.’ A friendly against Sweden last month was not the easiest of games for Scotland to negotiate in wet and windy conditions in Paisley, but there was a lesson too in dealing with FIFA’s No2 ranked team in the world. It was an indication of what Scotland face if they are to improve and compete while the women’s game evolves at a rate of knots. ‘That was such a good fixture for us to have at that time,’ said Weir (left). ‘Playing a team like Sweden was tough but you learn so much from those games. If we want to compete with those teams in the top ten in the world then we have to play them and it was a good opportunity to test ourselves. ‘We have analysed it quite in-depth now and that should help us ahead of the Spain game because there are similarities between those teams.’ With 81 senior caps, and World Cup and Team GB Olympics experience behind her, 26-year-old Weir is a pivotal cog in Martinez Losa’s team. Being part of a transitional squad is not without its challenges but the current blend of youth and experience, as well as the growth of the women’s professional game in Scotland, has been welcomed by Weir. ‘We are in a good place just now,’ she said. ‘We have players all over the place and we have players playing big games in big leagues every week. While it does feel slightly transitional, the core of the team has been together for a long time. ‘We are an open squad and we have players who are approachable. We try and speak to the younger players and it is nice to see them come in with real confidence.’