CAN INSPIRE AN ENTIRE NATION
NEW Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa wants a winning women’s team to inspire the whole country.
The Spaniard’s reign kicks off in Budapest as Scotland try to stake their claim for a place at the 2023 World Cup.
Scotland made it to the 2019 tournament in France with huge interest in the national team on the back of it. Losa would like to spark the same kind of hype again.
He said: “The players were desperate to be back with the group to see what we can build together. These players will inspire the next generation of girls and women and we also want men to feel inspired by our national team.
“We have the experience before of being successful at the last qualification.
“We need to start with motivation and points.”
Despite the lack of preparatory time to organise his squad – Losa met the players as a group on Sunday evening – and a raft of injury issues, he remains confident of getting the campaign off to a winning start.
Caroline Weir and Lucy Graham miss out while striker Lisa Evans is also injured. Rangers’ Lizzie Arnot, Rachael Boyle of Hibs and Glasgow City’s Jenna Clark have been called up as replacements. Losa said: “I have to be confident. We have fantastic players, energy, values and team spirit.
“We will prepare in detail and try to go to the game being brave to get the points. But I cannot guarantee that.
“I expect an organised Hungary team who have a new coach from Germany (Margret Kratz). They will feel more confident counter-attacking with a couple of special players they have. It is up to us to neutralise that.”