Aitken giving best shot for Scots

Montrose squash player Lisa Aitken admits she is not fully fit but still believes she can get Scotland promoted to Division One when the European Team Championships get under way in Wroclaw, Poland today.

The Scots narrowly missed out in Helsinki last year despite Aitken winning all six matches but an ankle injury caused problems at last month’s Commonwealth Games, and she conceded: “It’s not completely fine and it’s something I’ll look to address properly after the Euros but for now, I’ll just try to make it as comfortable as possible. “I’m not too worried. “It was a bit of a blow, to be honest. I’d had a solid week’s training in Australia, so I was really pumped up and ready to go, and then I got injured in the very last training session.

“I took a tumble and went straight for an MRI scan. I was so keen to get stuck in when the doubles came round and it didn’t hamper me on court. Painkillers are a wonderful thing. So is adrenalin!”

The Scots have been drawn in Pool B in Wroclaw and open their campaign today against Ireland and Poland as they chase a spot in Friday’s semi-finals.

Joining Aitken, Georgia Adderley, Robyn Young and Scottish number two Alison Thomson is Perth debutante Katriona Allen.

“Ali (Thomson) coming in has given us a real boost,” said Aitken. “We were still confident without her, but her addition has given us something else.

“There’s no reason why we can’t be one of the top teams in Division Two.

“We’re going there to win it and blast everybody off the court. We’re aiming for Division One because that’s where we feel we deserve to be.

“It was brilliant last year but a little lack of experience in pressure situations stopped us getting promoted against Germany.

“It’s the most enjoyable event of the year, for sure, and we all know we’re playing for each other.”

Perth’s Rory Stewart will have a key role as Scotland challenge for a medal in the men’s event, and the has received plenty of support from team captain Alan Clyne.

“It’s time for Rory to step up and play number four.

“I have every confidence in him and I think he’ll rise to the occasion,” said Clyne.

The Scots are in Pool A with top seeds and defending champions France but they start today against Spain and Denmark.