Interim Head Coach, Stuart McLaren have named four uncapped players in his 23-woman Scotland squad for friendlies against Northern Ireland and Wales.
Eartha Cummings, Brianna Westrup, Leah Eddie and Christy Grimshaw have all been handed their maiden senior call-ups as McLaren looks to prepare his squad for September’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Hungary and Faroe Islands.
Cummings and Eddie have been called up after impressing throughout the youth ranks, whilst Westrup is just one of five Rangers players to be named in the squad alongside; Jenna Fife, Rachel McLauchlan, Nicola Docherty and Lizzie Arnot.
Scotland midfielders, Kim Little and Caroline Weir are also included despite being named in Team GB squad for this summer’s Olympics.
Lisa Evans, Martha Thomas and Jen Beattie have all been left out of the squad with various injuries, whilst Reading’s Emma Mitchell is absent after announcing her pregnancy.
McLaren explained his decision to call up four uncapped players as evidence concerning ‘the strength and depth’ that is now available across the Scotland’s Women squad selection
The ex Stirling Albion manager also spoke of his ambitions in this international window, saying: “The major focus for us is to make sure the players are as well prepared as possible going into the qualifiers in September as possible. We’ll look to use a variety of players and switch up the systems of play that we use.”
McLaren has also vowed to try and instil his own ideas which he believes will benefit the squad who can continue to take his ideas forward under their permanent manager in due course.
Leanne Ross will again be McLaren’s Assistant Head Coach as Bristol City manager, Tanya Oxtoby joins the coaching team for these two fixtures.
Scotland will visit Northern Ireland at Seaview Stadium, Belfast, on Thursday 10 June 2021 with kick off confirmed for 7pm BST.
McLaren’s Tartan Army will then visit Wales at Parc y Scarlets, Llanellii on Tuesday 15 June at 7:15pm BST.
Here is Scotland’s 23-woman squad in full.
Goalkeeper: Lee Alexander (Glasgow City), Jenna Fife (Rangers), Eartha Cummings (Charlton Athletic)
Defence: Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Kirsty Smith (Manchester United), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Brianna Westrup (Rangers), Rachel Corsie (Kanas City), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Leah Eddie (Hibernian)
Midfield: Lucy Graham (Everton), Kim Little (Arsenal), Caroline Weir (Manchester City), Christie Murray (Birmingham City), Chloe Arthur (Aston Villa), Lisa Robertson (Celtic)
Forward: Christy Grimshaw (AC Milan), Fiona Brown (Rosengard), Claire Emslie (Everton), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lana Clelland (Fiorentina), Kirsty Hanson (Manchester United), Lizzie Arnot (Rangers)
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