Scotland Women's Football Team

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been speaking to the media as her side prepare for Tuesday's Women's World Cup round one play-off second leg.

Here are the main points:

• Andreatta says "we're excited to be home, be in front of our fans, friends and family" as they prepare to host the Czech Republic in Paisley.

• On hosting tomorrow night's game, the Scotland head coach adds: "being at home in front of people that have given you everything, when you think you're exhausted you find more."

• And she stresses "that extra support in the stands is going to give the players the extra punch that they need."

• Looking back on the 2-0 win in Friday's first leg, Andreatta says she wants her side to "continue to be clinical in the final third" for the meeting tomorrow night.

• The head coach adds, "we want to keep pushing and be relentless, if we do those things even better than we did on Friday night I think you'll see a performance where you're entertained in the stands".

• Andreatta is pleased to see the benefits of her training methods coming to fruition too, she says "things that we're working on in training is translating directly onto the pitch" adding "the lead up to the first goal [on Friday] is something we practiced and to see the girls execute it in those circumstances is awesome".

• When asked if she feels Scotland are ready to qualify for major tournaments on a regular basis, the boss says "from what we've seen already I think we're on the road towards realising our dreams but for right now it's one match after the other".

• On Claire Emslie, who scored her first goal since becoming a mum in Friday's 2-0 victory, Andreatta says "she's a top professional and deserves to enjoy and celebrate moments like that" adding "the emotion just shows what it means to her".

• On what she expects from their opponents this time round, Andreatta says: "I think Czech Republic will look to create more scoring chances, they have to. I think we'll see more directness. I think they'll look to shoot earlier and more often, we'll have to be ready for that."

• But she stresses "we before me is our mantra and they live and breathe that. They'll do whatever it takes to make sure the team gets to where we want it to go, that the jersey is left in a better place when they last found it."

• Andreatta insists "I know the girls are ready, they know what's important to perform."

• On the announcement that supporters will be able to consume alcohol at their seats during the game, Andreatta says "it adds to the matchday experience for the fans, I hope our football also adds to that experience. This will be a matchday experience like no other and I just hope our football adds to that and does most of the talking too."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Pardubice, Czech Republic

Image source, PA Media

When Kirsty Hanson became the first player to score a brace on their WSL debut for Tottenham - her third in the league in 2026 - OptaJoe, external handed her the nickname orthodontist.

The forward made the move from Aston Villa to Spurs in the summer, but due to some other eye-catching transfers elsewhere, her switch appeared to go a little under the radar. Just the way she likes it.

Despite netting a double on her first Spurs outing against West Ham, the Scotland international was left striving for more.

"It's been great," the 28-year-old told BBC Scotland of her new life in London, "but I'm very critical of myself.

"I've still got loads to come. It's just about pushing myself further and further.

"I'm far from great. I'm far from what I want to be and I think each game I'm so critical because I just want to be better.

"I want to be back on the training pitch, fix what I did wrong. That's what I do here.

"I've always wanted to be better, but also bring that experience and energy to others because we've got such a good team. Players that push me and players that I want to push as well."

Hanson has long established herself as one of the Scots' key players, and has felt the play-off pain of the past.

She was on the bench in 2022 when Republic of Ireland pipped Scotland to the World Cup, while she was front and centre when Finland inflicted more heartache two years ago in their European Championships play-off.

That hurt cut deep, but Hanson and co are keen to "not dwell on the past".

Speaking before the first leg of Friday night's Women's World Cup round one play-off in the Czech Republic - which is live on the BBC - she added: "We know what's happened. We've been frustrated, we've been sad, but that's in the past now.

"We're focused on the now and the team's in a really good place. We're focusing on us and we're just building on that positivity because we know what the task in hand is, we know what our goal is and we're just focused on that."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland in Pardubice, Czech Republic

Image source, SNS

It's play-off season again for Scotland.

The women's national team have starred in this movie before, so know the score when it comes to negotiating two-legged ties. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Two years ago it was Hungary and Finland. A couple before that, Austria and Republic of Ireland.

As their journey on the road to Brazil 2027 continues, Czech Republic are the next hurdle they have to hop, before potentially facing back-to-back World Cup bronze medallists Sweden in a round two play-off.

That's the stage the Scots have failed at in their past two qualification campaigns, but for now the focus is on setting up a mouthwatering tie with the Swedes - who are heavily favoured to get by Lithuania.

Melissa Andreatta has injected excitement, energy and experience into this Scotland side - who will return home for the second leg against the Czechs on Tuesday - and the head coach is leaning into all those qualities as she takes things one step at a time, starting in Pardubice on Friday night - live on the BBC.

"A good result is getting what we want and that's a win, putting ourselves in a good position for the home leg," the Australian told BBC Scotland.

"But at the end of the day, it's only half-time, so that's what we want.

"You don't always get what you want, but it will only be half-time and we have to go again when we go home and play in front of our fans and friends and family at Paisley.

"At this stage, it's about those moments in a game that you make the most of and that's what we're focused on.

"I'm excited to see what we can do in those moments. The possibilities are exciting, I think."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta has been addressing the media after naming her squad for the upcoming Women's World Cup round one play-off matches against the Czech Republic.

Here are the key things she said:

• "Always exciting" naming a squad, but this selection was about "depth" and Andreatta highlighted Sam Kerr's "versatility" as a key quality to her recall after nearly a year since she was last involved.

• Andreatta's "confidence is growing" in the squad game-by-game, with an eye on their goal of World Cup qualification. She insists her players are "doing whatever it takes" and their work in between camps is "phenomenal".

• The head coach shared her "pride" at captain Caroline Weir's second successive Ballon d'Or nomination, adding she "leads in actions as well as words" - "she's a doer, not just a talker".

• While Weir moved to Lyon, Erin Cuthbert was appointed Chelsea captain and though she has not featured yet this season - after picking up an injury on Scotland duty in June - Andreatta said the midfielder is "progressing really, really well" in her plan and the national team are in constant conversation with the club.

• "It means everything," for the head coach to repay Scotland for "embracing" her, and she will "run through brick walls" to reach the World Cup for the country, her staff and players.

• On changes within the Scottish FA, particularly the appointments of chief football officer Craig Mulholland and men's head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, Andreatta said "all change is positive" and they have already had "great discussions" around "football and identity" as she shared her experiences of the past four major tournaments she was involved.

Image source, SNS

"Proven winner" Kirsty Smith has reunited with former Scotland team-mate Leanne Crichton by joining Rangers on a two-year deal.

The full-back, who left Women's Super League 2 side Nottingham Forest at the end of last season, returns to her homeland eight years after leaving Hibernian for Manchester United.

The 32-year-old, who won promotion to the WSL with United after lifting five domestic trophies with Hibs, also played in England's top-flight with West Ham.

But a desire to return north having "missed a lot of the family side of it" has contributed to her linking up with Crichton again.

"I am obviously really excited to be here and just be back home in Scotland," Dalkeith-born Smith said.

"I have met all the girls, they are all so lovely, and I just can't wait to get started.

"I just think I have been away for a long time and I miss a lot of the family side of it as well.

"Being happy off the pitch and on the pitch will help me a lot as a player, and I think that comes hand in hand."

With over 60 international caps to her name - including being part of the only Scotland side to reach the Women's World Cup alongside Crichton - she brings "a real wealth of experience" to Rangers, according to the head coach.

"Kirsty is a proven winner who understands what it takes to perform in demanding environments," Crichton added.

"Her leadership, professionalism and versatility will be a huge asset to the group, and we're excited by the quality she'll add both on and off the pitch."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Melissa Andreatta is expecting a "tight game" when her side face Czech Republic in the first round of their World Cup play-off.

The Scots will face the Czechs over two legs and, should they progress, will face the winner of Sweden and Lithuania's play-off.

"I'm expecting a very tight game, especially when everything is on the line," Andreatta said.

"Everybody wants to be on the world stage at major tournaments so I wouldn't expect anything other than a very tight game, very competitive.

"It's going to go down to fine margins and we'll be prepared to take advantage of those fine margins so that we're on the better side."

Scotland edged their Nations League group on goal difference ahead of Belgium and were seeded for the draw as a result.

And Andreatta thinks the way the group stage played out will help her side in the play-offs.

"The way that it ended up playing out in the group stage for us was great preparation for what we're about to face," she added.

"If I know anything about this group, they're willing to do whatever it takes to be the team that goes through. All we'll focus on is ourselves to make sure that we put a performance together that earns the right to progress.

"Our attacking game is there to be seen. To score the most goals across the leagues and have the highest goalscorer in the team is something we're pleased about but the exciting thing is the potential of this team to continuing improving our attacking game.

"There's still lots of things to improve, lots of positives too, we're in a good position for just over a year of my tenure to be prepared for this play-off."

There's still a long way to go if Scotland want to qualify for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

And seeing the supporters heading to the United States in their droves to support the men's team at this summer's tournament adds extra incentive.

"When I spoke to the players and the staff after the game when the boys qualified I knew how much it meant to them then," she added.

"I've just come from Edinburgh airport to see a lot of folk coming and going to the World Cup. The excitement is real, the passion is undeniable and of course we want to be a part of that.

"But we are also realistic and know there's a lot of hard work to be done before we do that. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves and just focus on what's next and that's game one against this formidable opponent.

"I've said it from the beginning, I see it as a team of possibility. With the trajectory that we're on I think anything is possible. On our day, rankings aside, anything is possible."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have signed Scotland forward Mia McAulay from Rangers.

The 19-year-old progressed through the academy at Rangers and broke into the first team squad in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

She made her senior debut for Rangers at 16 and went on to make over 100 appearances for her childhood team.

The winger made her Scotland debut in May 2025 and has since gone on to make five appearances.

Earlier on Wednesday, Villa's top-scorer last season, Kirsty Hanson, joined Women's Super League rivals Tottenham.