Scotland Women's Football Team

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Scotland defender Emma Lawton insists it feels like a "fresh start" under new head coach Melissa Andreatta and says everything is geared towards qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The national side must defeat Austria at Hampden by two clear goals on Friday and hope results go their way when they face the Netherlands next week if they are to retain hope of remaining in Nations League Group A.

After missing out on this year's European Championship, Lawton is clear the main prize is qualifying for the next major competition.

"It's kind of a reset for us," she said.

"Our focus now is qualifying for the World Cup. This is the kind of start of it, these two games.

"We're trying to stay in League A, which is a big goal for us, so hopefully we can put out performances that will let us do that."

With captain Rachel Corsie retiring after this double-header, Lawton was keen to pay tribute to her influence.

"I think she's been huge for Scotland for a number of years now," the PFA Player of the Year explained.

"She's a great leader. She's our captain. I think this is the first time I've ever had the chance to kind of properly meet and play with her.

I'm loving doing that on the training pitch, trying to learn as much as I can.

She'll be a big miss for us, but we've got some other great leaders within there that will help us move forward."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

New Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been talking with the media before her first game in charge, the Nations League A visit of Austria to Hampden on Friday.

Here are the key points:

• On captain Rachel Corsie, who retires after the double-header against Austria and the Netherlands: "What a legend! It's been super humbling to to work with her and the professionalism of Rachel is what's really stood out and her willingness to share her experiences with both players and staff."

• Andreatta adds: "All she's focused on is her role and what the team needs to do to play the way we want to."

• The Scotland boss believes the loss of Corsie's leadership going forward will tell but says the transition has been "occurring naturally" in her absence: "People have had to step up and there's actually been a lot of support around the leadership group to do that. In their own right they're leaders at club. So they've had a lot of opportunity to lead both at club and country."

• The former Australia assistant insists Scotland can stay in the Nations League top tier despite a poor run of results.

• She adds: "I only see opportunity and yes, there's going to be tough times and there's a lot of progress to be made, but we believe we have what it takes and we're going to fight."

• Andreatta admits it's natural that confidence may have dipped given recent results but the players "believe they can do something and it's just putting all the pieces together in order for us to match that belief with the performance and the results".

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

"Two wins."

Rachel Corsie isn't asking for much from her final week of football.

The Scotland captain will retire once Nations League matches against Austria and Netherlands are out the way, and in the spirit of "slowing the week down", Corsie's full focus is on the games at hand.

A win by two clear goals on Friday against Austria at Hampden, who beat the Scots 1-0 on matchday one, would give Melissa Andreatta's side a chance to preserve their League A status, should the Austrians subsequently lose to Germany.

It's all the motivation the retiring 35-year-old needs.

"Two results that keep us in Group A, I think that's the collective ambition," the defender said.

"Selfishly, my own ambition and motivation is to be here and give everything on the pitch, off the pitch, at every opportunity because I think the result on Friday is one we can get that puts us in a good position where we can be on the front foot.

"We can be in control and then we lead ourselves into Tuesday which, if we get a good result on Friday, becomes a game where you relish that a little bit more."

As if the former Glasgow City centre-back needs any greater incentive to enjoy this week, though.

"I'm trying to slow down the days. I'm like we're already at Tuesday lunchtime," she added.

"Everyone says it hits you after, so I'm sort of braced for that but I'm just trying to be here and make it as normal as possible.

"You have to know that it can't last forever. I'd love it if it could but it can't and now's the right time."

Image source, SNS

Spend five minutes with Rachel Corsie and it will become apparent she loves nothing more than representing Scotland.

The captain, who has represented her country 154 times and led them out at the 2019 World Cup, will retire from football following one final week in international camp.

The defender has had a Scotland return at the forefront of her recovery from a knee injury which severely hampered her club-season with Aston Villa and kept her out of international selection since July.

The former Glasgow City centre-back, who has the chance to pull on the dark blue jersey at Hampden one more time on Friday against Austria in Scotland's penultimate Nations League A game, says playing for her country is "the best thing I've ever done in my life".

"Without doubt, the best thing I've ever done in my life is playing and getting to represent my country," she said.

"There is nothing I've experienced in sport like that. That's been something for me that I'll treasure and take with me for the rest of my life.

"There's something special about being Scottish. I think it has been the one thing that's been the light that I've needed at times to keep going, to want to keep pushing.

"I'm just so delighted that I'm going to be included, I get to be involved, and I'm looking forward to it."

Aberdeen-born Corsie represented Scotland at the two major tournaments they have reached and noted qualifying for the World Cup after a win in Albania as "one of her favourite moments".

"One of my favourite moments and the moment I think was the most euphoric, that brought the biggest joy, was when we qualified for the World Cup in Albania," she added.

"I have like a very vivid visual still in my head of just the moment the referee blew for full-time. Those feelings are just unmatched.

"You wouldn't have dreamt of playing at a World Cup when I was a kid because you just didn't know that was a thing.

"My career has definitely surpassed everything I thought it would, because I don't even think I thought what I've done was even possible. It certainly wasn't possible when I started."

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta explains the "easy" decision to recall captain Rachel Corsie after injury.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta believes Kathleen McGovern is "what Scotland need" after the Australian called up the Hibernian striker to the national team for the first time.

McGovern has 25 goals for the SWPL league leaders this season and has represented Scotland at various youth levels.

At her first news conference as Scotland boss, the Australian said she had taken in Hibs' Edinburgh derby win at Hearts and the forward caught her eye.

"It's a combination of that [what I saw in that game] and just what I would like to do with this team," Andreatta said.

Despite being just 22 years old, McGovern has been on the domestic scene for some time and excelled at city rivals Hearts before joining Hibs in the summer.

After coming through the ranks at Celtic, she spent a season in Germany with SC Sand and built on her fierce finishing and superb strength.

"I think her personality also, what you see on the field and she's a good fit for this team and what we need in this point in time," Andreatta added.

"She's worked really hard for this opportunity and she's deserved it with those performances week in, week out and earned it."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Image source, SNS

Melissa Andreatta addressed the media after naming her first Scotland squad for the Nations League A games against Austria and the Netherlands later this month.

Here are the key things from her news conference:

• The head coach said it was "an easy decision" to recall captain Rachel Corsie, despite the defender not playing for Scotland since July, missing most of the season through injury and leaving Aston Villa at the weekend.

• "True professional" Corsie is "Scotland through and through" and her relief was evident when she was given the news of her selection.

• First-time call up Kathleen McGovern is "a good fit" for Scotland and the Hibs striker has "worked really hard for this opportunity".

• Andreatta says their is "a hunger" within the players to represent Scotland, "get to the next level and achieve their goals".

• The penultimate Nations League A game against Austria is "a real opportunity to show everyone what we're all about".

• The head coach hasn't spoken to former Scotland international Kim Little, who is set to captain Arsenal in the Champions League final on 24 May but the midfielder is definitely someone she wants "to connect and speak with".

Captain Rachel Corsie returns for Scotland for the first time since July following injury as head coach Melissa Andreatta names her first squad.

There is also a first call up for Hibernian striker Kathleen McGovern, who has 25 goals for the Scottish Women's Premier League leaders, while Rangers captain Nicola Docherty and two club-mates - winger Brogan Hay and forward Kirsty Howat - are recalled.

What do you make of Andreatta's first squad? Are you happy with the first-time call-ups and Corsie's return?

Give us your thoughts here.

Image source, SNS

Scotland and Rangers defender Leah Eddie is excited for a "fresh start" under new national team head coach Melissa Andreatta.

Pedro Martinez Losa was dismissed as Scotland boss after the failure to reach Euro 2025 - the third major tournament in a row they have missed.

Former Australia assistant Andreatta was appointed his permanent successor last month after interim head coach Mick McArdle had overseen four straight defeats.

Scotland face Austria and the Netherlands in their remaining Nations League fixtures in just over three weeks and Eddie is looking forward to a "clean slate" under Andreatta.

"It's an exciting time for everyone involved," Eddie told BBC Scotland.

"She is coming in full of energy and wanting to do well so hopefully she can implement what she wants and we can start getting the results that we want.

"Everyone's really looking forward to getting to know her. It's a clean slate.

"I've not heard much about her or worked with her or know people who have worked with her which I think could be a good thing. But I think it's such an exciting time for the national team.

"A fresh start was maybe exactly what the national team needed and focusing on each camp at a time.

"Getting her in the door and hopefully everyone's on board with the way she wants to play and bring success. I'm sure if we do that everything will be fine."

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie feared she wouldn't be able to run again let alone play football as she struggled to fight back from long-term injury.

The 35-year-old Aston Villa defender had knee surgery in October that was expected to keep her out for eight weeks.

But her comeback attempts were halted by calf and hip problems before the Villa skipper finally made her first appearance of the season as a late substitute in last week's win over Arsenal.

Speaking on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast, Corsie said: "It wasn't that many weeks ago where I genuinely was having conversations with a physio and I remember, I've not cried that many times, but I did cry one day in the physio room.

"We got to the point where I was like, I don't know if I'd ever run again. It wasn't even about will I play football again, I was just like I'd like to be able to go for a jog.

"We reshuffled the rehab plan, the goal is you're trying to return to your sport, so it's very much like how can you play football again.

"We had to switch that to be like I just don't think I can run, running is the thing that causes me the most pain.

"That's how broken my body did feel at one point. Playing again at that moment in time, that's not even something I'm going to put focus to, I just would like to be able to do this.

"Then you chip away and you build yourself back up. Because of all those ups and downs, finishing training on Tuesday before the Arsenal game last week, that was the moment where I felt the greatest relief.

"That was the biggest celebration for me because I'd got through that session which meant I could be in the matchday squad."

Corsie insists chasing a return to Scotland duty was the "biggest factor" in her recovery and she wants to continue her international career under newly-appointed head coach Melissa Andreatta.

"I've just wanted to put myself in a position where I could say I was fit and available, it's so disappointing to have had to miss the last four camps," added Corsie.

"It's really nice to say I am now in a place where I can say that I'm fit.

"Playing for Scotland is the absolute best thing, and it's been the biggest factor in me wanting to strive to actually get back to this point."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Image source, SNS

Melissa Andreatta's predecessor, Pedro Martinez Losa, was dismissed because of his inability to guide Scotland to Euro 2025. The third major tournament in a row the Scots failed to reach.

A battered and bruised side fell to their knees in December at the Bolt Arena in Helsinki while Finland were celebrating and planning for Switzerland this summer.

Although Scotland have become all too familiar with failure, Andreatta insists the job, and the move around the world with her family, "wasn't a hard sell" and she is confident of "competing on the world stage" with her new team.

"My family know what I'm very passionate about and what I've dreamt of for a long time in my football career and that's to be a head coach," the Australian said at her first media conference.

"It wasn't a hard sell. Whether you're a player or a coach, you want to mix it with the best. You want to be at the highest level and I think of that 12-year-old Mel who dreamt of being a gold medallist at the Olympic Games.

"I think that's the same thing to me, being at the highest level competing against the best on the world stage is things that dreams are made of.

"It would be an honour, a privilege, a dream come true for me as well, but more importantly for a group of players who have been working hard at this for many years - some just starting out on their journey - and it would be super special for them.

"That's what I'm all about, supporting a group of people with this one goal to all get on the same page, aligned behind it and going for it and I hope we can do that."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Image source, SNS

Melissa Andreatta wasn't for letting a little bit of jet-lag get in the way of disturbing her first free week in Scotland before heading to Hampden on Monday morning.

The Australian made the 30-hour flight last week with her family and got immediately stuck into Scottish culture before officially beginning her new role as national team head coach.

Even at this early stage, she believes its a country that "really aligns" with her values.

"Hard working, no nonsense, straight talking, humble, honest, I'm all about that as well," the new head coach said. "Some things just turn up when they do and this opportunity is one of those. It arose and I went for it.

"I'm so honoured to have been given the opportunity to lead the team and I'm going to take it with both hands and run with it."

The 46-year-old also expressed excitement at working with a squad she got a front-row viewing of when Scotland faced Australia in London in 2023 and taking an even "deeper dive" with them in the coming weeks.

Andreatta, whose first game in charge is against Austria later this month, added: "I've been watching previous games, obviously I'm familiar with the players because in my previous role I was exposed to them as well.

"Watching the games myself, I'm still working through that process, it's early days but I'll be diving into that deeply in the coming days to make sure I have a good grasp of things ahead of the next window.

"I think the centre of the park is a strength for the Scottish. The midfield, when we talk about players there, I think the experience and the level that we see players playing at club level is high."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden Park

Image source, SNS

Melissa Andreatta has addressed the media for the first time since being named the new Scotland head coach.

Here are the key points:

• "Honoured" Andreatta "jumped at the opportunity" to become the new head coach, adding: "Who wouldn't?"

• Her brief has been "all about major tournament qualification" and she is "confident about the process and progress" of getting back to the top table, adding "anything is possible".

• The Australian believes Scotland "aligns with her values of working hard, no nonsense, straight talking, being humble and honest".

• Andreatta has had "initial discussions" about the make-up of her staff though she "definitely plans to lean on the fantastic backroom team already here".

• She spoke with Glasgow-born Australia interim head coach Tom Sermanni and veteran Scottish/Australian coach Ernie Merrick before making the move.

• Andreatta knows the words to national anthem 'Flower of Scotland' and finds it stirring.

Image source, SNS

Scotland and Glasgow City forward Fiona Brown is to retire at the end of the season at age 30.

Brown has not played since suffering an cruciate ligament injury for a fourth time in her career a year ago.

Brown, who rejoined City in January last year, has won three SWPL titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups across her two spells.

She has 61 Scotland caps, scoring twice, and has also played for Celtic and Swedish sides Eskilstuna United and Rosengard, where she won three league titles and two domestic cups.

Announcing her retirement, Brown said: "The risk is that I could easily get injured again and with my body type and history, I can't afford to do that as there is not much more that could be done.

"If you had told me when I was younger what I would achieve despite everything that has happened I would be genuinely chuffed.

"To all the team-mates, coaches, staff and fans I have spent my time with throughout my career, from my time as young player breaking through, to playing with Glasgow City, in Sweden and with the Scotland national team, thank you for your support, you have all been a part of my journey."

Brown hopes to make a final appearance this season as City chase the SWPL title and Women's Scottish Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Rachel Corsie was delighted with Scotland's showing in the first 45 minutes of their away game against Germany, but says they must find a way to withstand periods of pressure against the world's top sides.

Scotland faced Germany in consecutive Nations League fixtures and suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat at home on Friday at Tannadice.

On Tuesday evening's trip to Germany, they looked full of confidence and Caroline Weir put the Scots 1-0 in front before the break.

But they capitulated in the second half and lost 6-1 following a 20-minute period where they conceded five goals. They remain pointless at the bottom of Group A1.

"In the second game, the first 45 minutes were really promising," Corsie told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.

"There was a lot that you looked at and were encouraged by. You're playing Germany, they go to practically every major tournament and when they're there their ambition is to win it. They've won a significant number of major trophies and they've got players who have won everything domestically.

"Certainly in the first half I thought this is back to a team that can be resilient and effective, can make it difficult and frustrate players. That can slow the game down, create opportunities on the counter-attack. I was delighted with so many aspects of the performance.

"When that momentum shifts, how do you calm the storm and get a little bit of control back? What it felt like when we were watching is that we just lost our way against a side that are so clinical."

Scotland fans, we asked for your views on the appointment of Melissa Andreatta as the new SWNT head coach.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Scott: Good luck to Melissa, wishing you well in getting Scotland women back to a major tournament.

Rod: You Scottish fans are going to get a great new coach who has a terrific work ethic and passion for the game. Your gain is our loss here in Australia. We will miss her enormously.