Scotland Women's Football Team

Cal Gilkison
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to the media after naming her squad for the upcoming World Cup play-off final against Sweden.

Here are the key lines:

• Andreatta revealed Caroline Weir suffered a late setback that has ruled her out of the Sweden double-header. Weir, 31, suffered a muscle injury in the warm-up ahead of the win against Czech Republic last month.

• Despite Weir's injury, the Scotland head coach insists: "It's all about the players we have, the players we've got to work together to win this tie and that's going to be our focus to do whatever it takes to make sure we're on the right side of the result."

• Andreatta believes the second leg against Czech Republic showed the "progression" of her squad and believes they've "earned their opportunity".

• Andreatta adds: "The squad I've picked, 21 players in the squad have represented Scotland already this year and contributed to what we're doing on the field to get us to this point. We've really earned that opportunity and I think we've shown not only our maturity, but our professionalism and growth."

• On facing "powerhouse" Sweden, Andreatta says: "I think the way they start games is a strength and that's something we will be ready for. Their speed across the park, not only in transition, but just in open play and set-plays. We'll be ready for those moments and I think we have a game plan that not only nullifies those three key areas but focuses on our strengths so we can impose our game on them."

• Andreatta revealed she is "really pleased" with her camp's "meticulous" preparation ahead of Sweden and believes she has created a "great recipe for success".

• On competition for places, Andreatta says: "I think the decisions are getting harder and that shows the competition for spots. It does make it difficult but that's why I'm employed to make the tough decision and look at the players that will pull on the navy blue and represent us the way we want to be represented and perform in a way we want to perform to get us to major tournaments."

Scotland twice came from behind against the Czech Republic to win a five-goal thriller and set up a Women's World Cup round two play-off against heavyweights Sweden.

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Scotland forward Lauren Davidson

"In the first half we maybe didn't play the way we wanted to play, we wanted to fix that in the second half.

"In these type of games, they're [Czech Republic] losing 2-0, I think it's all about showing resilience."

On how her club football has helped her develop, she adds: "It's my first time moving away from home. I've loved every moment of it [SK Brann in Norway], my contract is up in December but I think I made the right move.

On Sweden she says: "We know it's going to be hard, they can score goals, but it's all about celebrating this tonight. We'll deal with that when it comes but we'll be ready."

Scotland midfielder Erin Cuthbert

"Getting the to play-off final was the most important thing.

"I don't think we played our best tonight but these types of games are just about getting the job done.

"We weren't playing the best football in the first half and I think my job as a substitute is to come on and make an impact. We need the group.

"Lauren Davidson was on fire today, if you give her the ball she'll make something happen. She was brilliant she honestly looked like she was possessed tonight.

"I'll be celebrating my first 45 minutes and we'll be celebrating as a team but I'm still disappointed. I think our performance fell short of what we're capable of. We're under no illusions of how tough Sweden will be and we will have to play a lot better than that."

On her teammate Caroline Weir who pulled up in the warm-up, Cuthbert adds: "Caroline doesn't go down easy, when she feels like she can't continue normally I'm a wee bit worried, hopefully she's fit for the Sweden games."

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta: "What it [the win] showed is what Scotland's all about.

"We stuck to our principles, ground out a result and that puts us in a good place for what's ahead.

"In the lead up to this game we worked on all different scenarios so everything we did tonight was planned. We had the options in our back pocket and we had to use them.

"These two games being so tough and testing us in all different ways gives us the confidence to go again against Sweden. It's a different level, they're number eight in the world but we'll be ready.

"I think I know a bit about Sweden and what their threats are. We'll focus on us, be prepared for every situation and put ourselves in the best position to get through the tie."

On Caroline Weir, Andreatta adds: "I haven't even had a chance to speak to the medical team.

"Just precautionary, over the coming days we'll speak to the medical team and take it from there."

And the Scotland boss praises the family atmosphere within the Scotland camp.

"I've moved halfway across the world and Scotland has embraced me like one of their own," she added.

"Everyone has done everything they can to make me feel comfortable and do my job."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Scottish FA

Caroline Weir says Scotland "need to hit the ground running" against the Czech Republic in Paisley on Tuesday as they look to book their place in the Women's World Cup round two play-off.

The captain opened the scoring in Friday's first leg before Claire Emslie added a second and Weir is urging her team-mates to "pick up where we left off to get the result and the job done".

"Going away from home in any type of game is difficult, so we're pleased with the result," 31-year-old Weir told BBC Scotland.

"To have a two-goal lead is obviously positive, but it's only half-time.

"It's a cliche, but it's obviously true. We've got a massive game here and we need to hit the ground running, pick up where we left off to get the result and the job done."

Weir's goal - the latest moment of magic from the Lyon midfielder in a Scotland shirt - after 57 minutes, sparked something within the side, who delivered a much-improved second half performance against the Czechs.

"I liked it," Weir said of the goal - where she controlled Kathleen McGovern's knockdown with her thigh before arrowing a superb strike low into the far corner.

"It was a big game as well, but I think I'm just there to help the team in any way that I can.

"It's kind of what I'm there to do and what I try and do every match.

"So, yeah, pleased with that, but just obviously more pleased with the 2-0 lead that we have going into this game."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, Scottish FA

Melissa Andreatta wants her Scotland side to "be relentless" in their pursuit of reaching the Women's World Cup round two play-off when they face the Czech Republic in Tuesday's round one second leg.

The Scots lead the Czechs 2-0 from Friday's first leg in Pardubice, and are aiming to finish the job in Tuesday's second leg in Paisley to set-up another two-legged tie - likely against Sweden.

The head coach hopes to "entertain" those in the stands, who, for the first time in Scotland in 45 years will be able to have alcohol in their seats as part a Scottish FA pilot.

"I think that's who we are as a Scotland national team with the way that we want to play, we want to be relentless and if we do those things even better than we did on Friday night, then I think you'll see a performance where you're entertained in the stands," Andreatta said previewing the game at the home of St Mirren, live on the BBC.

"What's really pleasing is that things we're working on in training and the meeting room are translating directly into the pitch

"The lead up to that first goal on Friday was something that we really pinpointed and practised in training, so to see the girls execute it in those sort of circumstances is awesome."

On the possibility of alcohol being consumed at the game, Andreatta added: "I think in this case, it adds to the match day experience for the fans.

"What I hope is our football also adds to that experience. We've got halftime entertainment as well, so I think this will be a match day experience like no other.

"We just wanna make sure that the football adds to that and does most of the talking."