SWNT 2024: We Go Again
Jane Ross and Leah Eddie return as SWNT begin a year where Euro 2025 qualification has to be the ultimate goal for Pedro Martinez Losa and his squad.
The raw emotion that swept across Hampden following a humbling 6-0 defeat to England at the end of last year’s UWNL campaign may have had time to drift away but the brutal ending to that sequence contested at the elite level of the European game produced a sharpened focus at the national stadium as the first Scotland squad of 2024 was named.
“I feel the responsibility of my job and it comes with a certain level of pressure but that is the same for all nations that have the opportunity to qualify.”
I’m speaking with Scotland Head Coach Pedro Martinez Losa outside the Hampden auditorium following a broadcast briefing where the notion of pressure had also been on collective minds, “We’re aware that if we qualify for a major tournament that it will have an impact on everything but that doesn’t come with any extra pressure. That [qualification] has been the job since the very first day.”
Later this month SWNT’s now traditional trip to San Pedro del Pinatar will take place as The Philippines followed by either either Slovenia or Finland (depending on results) await and there is a sense that Martinéz Losa, who signed a contract extension until 2027 began in September last year, begins a new cycle on the back foot.
“I’ve been fortunate to have spent 15,16 years in professional football and I have had a few of these days when the feelings are not the best.”, he shares when asked about how he reflects on that England defeat, “Obviously for me I feel privileged to be in this role and I have full confidence in what we do and the standards that we work to.”
In the most recent rankings Scotland sit 16th in Europe and if qualification for the tournament in Switzerland was based on that alone then Scotland would be there, however it isn’t, and the nations challenging from underneath are continuing to make up ground.
For some fans Martinéz Losa’s confidence is replaced with questions as to whether the sum of all parts is reaching its potential. Quality undoubtedly remains and even accounting for the fact the year begins with the continuing absence of Emma Watson and Caroline Weir (the latter’s being equally felt at club level with Real Madrid) SWNT are, and should be viewed, as viable Euro 2025 participants.
So, much like at the beginning of 2023, the trip to Spain’s south-east peninsula provides the Spaniard with an opportunity to build momentum following a disappointing conclusion to the previous year.
Last year’s Pinatar adventure produced a mixed bag of results (a loss to Iceland was followed by victory over The Philippines and a draw against Wales) before a spring/summer resurgence was followed by the challenges of the Nations League with Scotland demoted to League B having earned two points from six games courtesy of draws, home and away, against Belgium.
As SWNT return to their manager’s homeland it was less wholesale change and more minor tweaks to the squad that was called up to for last December’s double header, with a smattering of returning faces across a largely unchanged squad as Martinéz Losa tries to juggle the desire for regeneration with the need for positive results going into a qualifying campaign.
Of those returning, two names in particular stood out; Leah Eddie and Jane Ross with both currently competing in the SWPL albeit at different ends of their international careers.
For Hibernian defender Eddie it was a first inclusion since a late substitute appearance against Slovakia during the 2022 Pinatar Cup. Since then she has dealt with injury and the consequences of her versatility at club level but this season she has played, almost exclusively, as a left-sided centre back, signalling a return to form for the 23-year-old with the potential to add options to the heart of a Scottish backline that sees Rachel Corsie, Sophie Howard and Jenna Clark retain their places in the squad.
“Back then [in 2022] I think it was difficult for her as a young player to reach certain levels.”, explains the Spaniard, “Character wise she is exceptional and she has always been kept in our thoughts as we waited to see if the right opportunity came along.”
“The U23’s were a good opportunity to see her again and she was one of the outstanding players. After speaking with the coaches who worked closely with her we decided to bring her back in.”
“She has a lot of attributes, athleticism and good quality on the ball but there’s still things we would like to work on with her.”
Eddie has continued her evolution into a leadership role at Hibs often taking the armband and, as was shown with her volleyed equaliser against Glasgow City in the Scottish Cup two weeks ago, has got the odd goal in her locker, an ability that 146 times capped Jane Ross certainly has as Scotland’s second highest all-time goalscorer (only Julie Fleeting has more) returns to the squad after an extensive lay off through injury.
“She’s one of the best pro players I have ever met in terms of what she does and what she brings to the team.”, enthused the Spaniard of the striker who has scored 62 times for her country. “She’s very knowledgable about the game and very tactically minded. We had a conversation with Rangers and with Jane to see if this was the right moment or not and all three parties agreed we were good to go.”
That game intelligence is something that current Rangers Head Coach Jo Potter has been seen to counsel in recent weeks. In the aftermath of her side’s 0-0 draw with Partick Thistle at the weekend it was noticeable that both she and Ross were in deep discussion as the Rothesay native stretched her limbs following a frustrating afternoon for the SWPL league leaders and while that understanding of the game will be leaned upon Ross’ main focus will be helping to address Scotland’s need for goals.
“The final third is an area where we want to improve. Our statistics in that are very good but we feel like we can still be more efficient and Jane is one of the players that can help us build on that.”, explains Martinéz Losa before sharing a variety of attacking statistics.
That Ross has been able to return to competitive football after a 500+ day absence is testament to the professionalism she has become known for and scoring eleven goals in just eight appearances since then shows that her ability to find the back of the net remains as sharp as ever.
Her age, now 34, will raise some questions, especially against a backdrop which has seen a sustained push for youth, but it is irrefutable that she remains a proven and well-respected goalscorer capable of imparting wisdom and perhaps helping to buy some time as the next generation look to bed in.
Sceptical fans need only look back to Hayley Lauder’s return and subsequent impact from the bench against Belgium as proof that quality can remain timeless, and you’ll not find a single Scotland fan (including this guy) who doesn’t want to see Ross be prolific for her country once again.
The next year is always the biggest in women’s football and it’s hard not to feel a sense of deja vu as a new cycle begins. Scotland, and Pedro Martinez Losa, have to hit the ground running with the Pinatar Cup providing the perfect platform to do so.
A pair of friendly victories and the green shoots of positive momentum before the draw for Euro 2025 qualifying in March wouldn’t just be nice but, with Scotland fans still hurting from recent results, have almost become a necessity.
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