PEDRO Martinez Losa says no Scotland players have retired from international football despite not selecting several for two friendlies in Spain. The Scots will travel to a training base near Jerez for games against Panama on November 12 and Venezuela two days later.
Given the close proximity of the two games, the Spaniard confirmed that he will fully utilise his expanded 26-player squad. Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert, who are involved in Champions League football, are likely to play only one match against much lower ranked opponents.
Captain Rachel Corsie is retained, but her long-term central defensive partner Jen Beattie is among those not travelling. The 31-year-old made her debut against the USA in 2008 and has 143 Scotland caps.
West Ham winger Lisa Evans (94) and Reading left back Emma Mukandi 68) are two other regular starters who will not make the trip, and the same goes for fringe players Christie Murray, Chloe Arthur and Lana Clelland.
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“They were all available for selection but we wanted to think about how we could provide opportunities for young players,” Martinez Losa said. Among those coming in are the uncapped trio of Rangers winger Brogan Hay, Hearts midfielder Rebecca McAllister and Glasgow City No 2 goalkeeper Erin Clachers.
The most likely to play is Hay, who is 23 and played a big part in her club's first SWPL title win last season. “She is very energetic, good at one-on-ones in the final third, and needs that experience of the next level to have confidence,” the head coach confirmed.
The friendly double-header will be the first time the squad has met up since losing 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off at Hampden last month. While it is an obvious opportunity to look at younger players ahead of Euro 2025 qualifying, Martinez Losa said it would also be an occasion to reflect on the failed World Cup campaign.
“It's a pain that's going to continue for a long period of time,” the Spaniard admitted, “but I like to think the pain can't hide that the team has been progressing massively in our opinion.”
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