Martinez Losa determined to put best foot forward for Euros

SCOTLAND manager Pedro Martinez Losa is keen to ensure that the first step towards European Championship qualification is a positive one.

The journey to Switzerland next year for Euro 25 begins with an away trip to Serbia this Friday night before Hampden plays host to Slovakia on Tuesday evening.

After a Nations League campaign that ended winless with a humiliating 6-0 defeat at Hampden against England, Scotland can only make it to the finals via the play-offs after being relegated to League B.

“Serbia have improved a lot and will be very competitive,” said the Spaniard. “They also have very talented individual players in the final third. But our aim is to be at the European Championships so we have to negotiate every game.

“We know from the World Cup that is important we start well because then we get positive results and positive feelings from the beginning,” he said. “It is obviously a challenge for us because we are away from home and I do think those who have a home Friday night game have a little advantage. We also have a little less time to recover once we travel back but that is the challenge for us.”

Martinez Losa has had to bring in Rangers winger Brogan Hay and Birmingham midfielder Christie HarrisonMurray after injuries over the weekend to Christy Grimshaw and Hayley Lauder. Martha Thomas, who scored all three of Scotland’s goals at the Pinnatar Cup, is also out with Celtic’s Amy Gallacher in the squad.

“We want to be more clinical in the final third,” said Martinez Losa. “Now is the moment for competition. The players are fresh and in the best form and we have discussed at length what our objectives are now.”