ScotlandWomen v Finland

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
CAPTAIN’S Q&A
RACHEL CORSIE
Q
Rachel, this is the last Scotland
game of the year, how has the week
been so far?
A
We’ve trained well and are really
prepared for tonight’s crucial game.
Friday was incredibly disappointing and
the performance wasn’t up to our usual
high standards. We’re now focused on
putting things right. The last two games
have been extremely disappointing as
we thought we were good enough to
win the games away from home against
Finland and Portugal. We had chances
in both games and didn’t take them.
That has come back to haunt us. We’ll
be going all out for the win tonight now
as it would be crucial for our qualification
hopes. This team belongs at the major
tournaments and it’s now up to us to
bounce back and ensure we deliver a
positive result tonight.
Q
A
What has it been like with Shelley
not being camp due to isolation?
Shelley not being here due to being
in isolation is obviously something
new for us to deal with but this group of
players are resilient and can cope with
challenging situations. The players have
handled it really well and are well used
to this situation occurring. It’s affecting
teams across the world and has ruled
out personnel from our club teams at
short notice. We’ve just had to make the
best of the circumstances and I think
we’ve done that. Shelley has been as
involved as much as she can be from
afar. The rest of the coaching staff and
the players have come together to make
it as flawless as possible. You don’t
want to allow any excuses in terms of
performances.
Q
Billy Stark has joined the group this
week behind the scenes. Has he
helped bring a fresh perspective?
A
I think when someone of that
experience joins us it’s only going to
be positive. He has so many different
experiences to what we have so we’ve
listened and learned from him as he’s
brought a few different things to the table.
Q
The players have experienced
playing in a lot of high pressure
games in recent years. How much will
that help ahead of tonight?
A
Our previous experiences will
definitely help and I’m sure
everyone has learned a lot from those
experiences. We need to be more
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EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
clinical in these games when the
pressure is on. These big games have
become more frequent in the last wee
while and we need to make sure we
keep pushing ourselves to ensure our
standards don’t drop.
Q
Ordinarily we would have had
thousands of people at Easter Road
cheering us on tonight. What will it be
like without them?
A
The real disappointment is that we’re
starting to grow our fan base and for
a big game like tonight we know that
they’d usually be there in their numbers.
We’ve worked really hard to grow
the fan base so would love for people
to be at the stadium to share these
experiences with us. Hopefully we’re not
too far away from that being possible.
Although they won’t be at Easter Road
we really do feel their backing from
afar, especially through social media.
The players recognise that and really
appreciate it.
Q
You’re up against a familiar face
tonight in the Finland head coach
Anna Signeul. What will that be like?
A
It’s one of those special things,
when you play sport, that you meet
people who’ve had a real influence in
your career and Anna certainly did that
for a lot of our players. She was the
person who offered us an opportunity
to play for our national team which is
such a special thing. I think it was an
emotional experience for her last time
out as Scotland means so much to her.
Off the pitch it’s great to see her but on
the pitch, it’s very much about business.
She got the better of us last time and
now we need to put that right.
Q
How delighted were you when the
men’s team qualified for the Euros
next year?
A
I watched it at home and it was
such an amazing feeling when they
won the game. It’s been a tough
year and a long time since
they were last at a major
tournament but this has
given the country a huge
boost and allows everyone
something to look forward
to. There’s been so much
pressure on the
men’s team to
qualify so to see
the elation of the
whole country
sent such
a powerful
message.
5
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SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
PLAYER FOCUS
EVANS AIMING
FOR MORE
QUALIFICATION
SUCCESS
6
So far in her career Lisa Evans has reached two major
championships with Scotland and now she’s aiming for a third.
Playing her football at Arsenal and
competing at Euro 2017 and the 2019
Women’s World Cup has provided
great experiences, but now the winger
has set her sights on lighting up the
tournament in England in 2022.
Recovering from an injury, Evans had
yet to play for Scotland in 2020 going
into this international window and
she’s aiming to make up for lost time
by helping her side go into the final two
games next year in a promising position.
Q
A
How does it feel to be back
in the squad?
It’s great to be back involved. It
was so frustrating being out for
the last few matches of the campaign,
and watching them from home. I’ve
not played for Scotland at all this
year, through injury, and that’s been
disappointing. I’ve not played many
games in general but I’m feeling fit and
healthy now. The week has gone well so
far and Shelley not being in camp hasn’t
provided much disruption as she is still
leading from afar and chatting to us
regularly over Zoom.
Q
A
What have you made of the
campaign so far?
We had a great start but the
pandemic has obviously disrupted
things. Tonight’s game is going to be
huge, and will be pivotal in terms of our
qualification hopes. Despite the defeat
last time out, Finland are a team we’re
more than capable of coming out on top
against if we play to our potential. They
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
7
showed they’re a good side but if we’re
at our best I’m confident we can come
out on top.
Q
Kim Little and Jen Beattie have been
back in the squad this week. How
big a boost will that be?
A
I spend so much time with those girls
and I’d consider them my extended
family at Arsenal. I’m really close with
them and it’s great to have them around.
They are massive characters within the
group and fantastic players. They’ve
added a lot to the group. Since the
World Cup we’ve had a number of fresh
faces come in and that’s been good too.
They all seem to have settled into the
group really well.
Q
How determined are you to get back
to the Euros?
This team has not reached its potential
A yet and I just want to show everyone
how good we are. We could be such a
big threat at a major tournament and
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the disappointment of the World Cup
will really spur us on. If we qualify for this
Euros we’ll be wanting to put our name
on the map and show everyone what
we’re about. The fact it’s in England is a
massive incentive for us. We’re all really
focused on getting there. A lot of us play
in England, so competing on their patch
for a tournament would be special. It
would be an amazing competition to play
in so hopefully we get there.
Q
Have you felt a growth in interest in
the women’s national team since the
World Cup?
A
There’s so much more exposure now,
in terms of on social media, and
we’ve been given great opportunities
such as when we played at Hampden.
When I started off I was only 18 and
things were so different. We’re in such a
good place now.
What was your reaction when the
Q men’s team qualified for the Euros?
A
It was amazing and really emotional.
I watched the match in the house
with my partner Viv (Miedema) and
even she had a Scotland shirt on.
We made it difficult for ourselves but
I always fancied us in the penalty
shoot-out. When Marshall made that
save I was crying my eyes out with
happiness. It gave me flashbacks of
when we qualified for the World Cup.
Hopefully the men’s team qualifying will
improve Scottish football as a whole.
This year has been tough for everyone,
but that result gave the whole nation a
much-needed boost. It shows you how
powerful football is. If fans are allowed
at Wembley I’ll be doing everything to
get a ticket and be in Trafalgar Square
for the pre-match party.
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
TEAM MATES WITH
EMMA MITCHELL
10
Most skilful? Erin Cuthbert. Some of the
tricks she does are incredible. She’s a
really special talent.
If you could be a teammate for a
day, who would you be? I’d like to
be someone who is different to me,
like Leanne Crichton. She’s smart and
streetwise, which is the opposite of
what I’m like sometimes. She’s a teammate
who is really trustworthy and her
talents probably go unnoticed.
Funniest? I have to say my mate
Lisa Evans. I’ve known her since we
were young and we’re always up to
something.
Unsung hero in the squad? Shannon
Lynn. She comes here every camp with
so much positivity and loves playing for
her country. She adds a lot to the squad.
Future Scotland captain material?
Caroline Weir. She plays consistently for
us and has scored some huge goals in
her career. She’s not massively vocal off
the pitch, but she leads by example on it.
Best and worst taste in music? I would
say Lisa would be the leading candidate
for both. We’ve got similar taste in music
which is good, but sometimes she’ll hit
out with an absolutely stinking song and
play it on repeat for days and days. It
then gets in your head which is the worst.
Best player you’ve played with? Kelly
Smith was amazing when she was at
Arsenal. To be the age she was but still
carry the team is testament to how good
a player she was. Viv Miedema is also
up there. I think in a few years I’ll look
back and consider myself lucky to have
been her team-mate. She’s going to win
Champions League trophies and play at
the top level for a long time. She’s world
class.
Best player you’ve played against?
Ramona Bachmann is a big game player
and would always turn up. In 2018 she
was up against me in the FA Cup Final
and scored two goals that day. I just
couldn’t match her on that day.
Pet hates? I hate it when my fiancée
leaves his dirty boxers and clothes next
to the washing basket but doesn’t put
them in it. So frustrating! I don’t know
why he doesn’t just put them in. A lot of
men probably do that. It’s annoying when
people don’t understand my accent as
well. I don’t think people in London have
heard as strong a Scottish accent as
mine. People think my name is ‘Umma’.
Best game you’ve played in? One
of the biggest moments of my career
was when we won the FA Cup at
Wembley. We had such a special team,
we were underdogs and it was such a
good game. If I could relive a day in my
football career that would be it.
Worst game you’ve played in? A few
years ago we played Potsdam when
I was with Glasgow City and it was
horrendous. We lost 10-0. If that wasn’t
bad enough I got hooked at half-time in
what I thought was a harsh decision. I
learnt from that moment. To experience
that as a young girl was tough, but it
was something I emerged stronger from.
Best stadium? I’m a massive Celtic fan
so Celtic Park has to be it. I’ve never
played there though, so in terms of that
Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium has
to be up there. It was unbelievable. The
facilities were amazing.
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
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SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
QUICKFIRE Q&A
LEANNE CRICHTON
Favourite stadium you’ve played at?
Tynecastle Stadium in the Scottish Cup
Final 2019 against Hibs was special.
Favourite holiday destinations? I love
Australia, particularly Melbourne and
Victoria. I have family there and we love
getting over to visit them. Ibiza is also
amazing... the quiet part).
Best game you’ve been involved in
and why? The Scottish Cup Final 2019
4-3 win against Hibs. We went behind
twice in the match and managed to win
with a double from Clare Shine, one of
them being a last-minute winner. It had
been an incredible year for the club, with
highs and lows, but to end the season
like that was incredible. Also I got
married two days later, so it made for an
amazing week!
Pre-match meal? Not too fussy really,
but I would prefer breakfast/brunch
food. Probably toast, beans and
scrambled egg.
Best player you’ve played with and
why? Kim Little. She is definitely the
best midfielder I have played with. She
changes games but is so unassuming.
I have also played against her on more
than a few occasions and that was tough!
Best player you’ve played against
and why? Most recently we played
Wolfsburg in the Champions League
and Pernille Harder was unreal. She
has everything, but her movement and
goalscoring ability is incredible.
Most memorable game you’ve been
to? Scotland v England at Hampden in
2017 when it finished 2-2. I had shot
off early, missed both of Leigh Griffiths’
goals and heard the celebrations
from half way along Cathcart Road!
Something I will need to live with...
Favourite Scotland kit of all time?
I loved the pink kit we had for the World
Cup 2019.
Favourite film? I’m not a huge film fan,
but I did enjoy ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
when I watched it during lockdown.
Favourite TV shows? Gogglebox. But
that’s only once a week, if I find any free
time in my week it’s normally watching
live football.
Any phobias? Spiders and heights.
Most famous person you’ve met? Dame
Katherine Grainger or Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Pet hates? I don’t like being late for
things, but I also really hate mess or
clutter. Even on match days I find
myself tidying the changing room.
Who would be your dream guest
on your podcast ‘Behind The
Goals’, which you produce with
Rachel Corsie? After the heroics
of the past couple of weeks, it
would be amazing to have
Andy Robertson on to chat
over the emotions of that game
against Serbia.
13
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
LAST MATCH LOOK BACK
PORTUGAL 1
SCOTLAND 0
ESTÁDIO DO RESTELO - LISBON | QUALIFYING
ROUND - GROUP E | FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER
15
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

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SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
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EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
18
MANAGER:
Shelley Kerr
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Lee Alexander
Glasgow City
Jenna Fife
Rangers
Shannon Lynn
Vittsjö GIK
Jen Beattie
Arsenal
Rachael Boyle
Hibernian
Rachel Corsie
Birmingham City*
Nicola Docherty
Rangers
Hannah Godfrey
Tottenham Hotspur Women
Sophie Howard
Leicester City
Emma Mitchell
Reading FC
Kirsty Smith
Manchester United
Chloe Arthur
Aston Villa
Leanne Crichton
Glasgow City
Lisa Evans
Arsenal
Lucy Graham
Everton
Sam Kerr
Glasgow City
Kim Little
Arsenal
Rachel McLauchlan
Glasgow City
Christie Murray
Birmingham City
Caroline Weir
Manchester City
Lizzie Arnot
Rangers
Fiona Brown
Rosengard
Erin Cuthbert
Chelsea FC
Kirsty Hanson
Manchester United
Zoe Ness
Rangers
Jane Ross
Manchester United
Martha Thomas
West Ham United
MANAGER:
Anna Signeul
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Tinja-Riikka Korpela
Everton FC
Paula Myllyoja
Pink Bari Calcio Femminile
Anna Tamminen
Åland United
Anna Westerlund
Åland United
Natalia Kuikka
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Anna Auvinen
Inter Milan
Tuija Hyyrynen
Juventus FC
Emma Koivisto
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Elli Pikkujämsä
KIF Örebro
Eveliina Summanen
Kristianstads DFF
Adelina Engman
Montpellier Hérault SC
Ria Öling
Växjö DFF
Olga Ahtinen
Linköpings FC
Emmi Alanen
Växjö DFF
Nora Heroum
Brighton and Hove Albion
Julia Tunturi
Eskilstuna United
Lina Salmi
Valencia CF
Juliette Kemppi
London City Lionesses
Kaisa Collin
Eskilstuna United
Sanni Franssi
Real Sociedad
Linda Sällström
FC Paris Féminines
Jutta Rantala
Kristianstads DFF
Jenny Danielsson
AIK
Eva Nyström
Umeå IK
Essi Sainio
HJK
Amanda Rantanen
PK-35 Helsinki
Match Officials: Ref: Katalin Kulcsar (HUN) AR 1: Paulina Baranowska (POL)
AR 2: Katalin Emese Torok (HUN) 4th official: Eszter Urban (HUN)
*On loan from Utah Royals
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020

SCOTLAND v FINLAND / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
zoe ness
MATCHDAY
PLAYLIST
Paradise: MEDUZA, Dermot Kennedy
Cola: CamelPhat, Elderbrook
Something About You: Elderbrook, Rudimental
Breathe: CamelPhat
Desire: Sub Focus, Dimension
Losing My Mind: Philip George, Saint Raymond
The Power: Duke Dumont, Zak Abel
To Love: Sonny Fodera, Shannon Saunders
There For You: Gorgon City, MK
The Moment: Sonny Fodera, Lilly Ahlberg
God Is A DJ: Faithless
Body 2 Body: MK
Little Love: Blinkie, Grace Tither
I’ll Be Pushing On: Zac Samuel
One Night: MK feat Raphaella
19
EASTER ROAD / TUESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2020