Banks: Now we need a winning run
BY ALAN CAMPBELL STEVE BANKS reckons Scotland were unlucky in the 1-0 defeat to Canada but says they must get back to winning ways in the Algarve Cup today.
Shelley Kerr’s side have now lost their last four matches – including a low-key friendly against Iceland in La Manga six weeks ago when several fringe players were given runouts.
Banks, the former Hearts and St Johnstone keeper, is part of Kerr’s backroom team and combines that role with coaching at Tranmere.
The Scots face Iceland again this afternoon and ahead of the Group A clash Banks said: “We were unlucky not to get something out of the Canada game on Friday, hopefully we’ll have more of a positive result.
“We were disappointed with the result in La Manga and will hope to put things right.
“Our performance in the first game we lost, against the USA in November, was a great one, tactically almost to perfection, and we caused them a few problems.
“It was the same with Canada, who are ranked No.5 in the world, and we were unfortunate to lose the game to the penalty.
“The other two games in La Manga, against Norway and Iceland, were experimental and were needed to give people chances.”
Banks, who will be part of Scotland’s coaching staff at this summer’s World Cup in France, added: “We’re at the nitty-gritty now where performances are still important but we need to get on a bit of a winning run to take that into the World Cup.
“The girls know that, they’ve been told that. So now the mentality is we’re going to go and win.”
Banks was delighted with the performance of Glasgow City keeper Lee Alexander against Canada.
Alexander missed out on the games in La Manga after undergoing an operation in November for a long-standing heel problem.
But she made several fine saves against the Canadians before Christine Sinclair’s winner from the spot.
Alexander’s absence in Spain gave opportunities to Shannon Lynn, who plays for the Swedish club Vittsjo, and Hibs keeper Jenna Fife. All three are likely to be taken to the World Cup.
Banks – who won the Scottish Cup with Hearts, St Johnstone and Dundee United – added: “I love working with them in training. They all want to prove they are the best, which is great for me and the manager.”