Scotland Women v Portugal

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SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
MANAGER’S WELCOME
STUART McLAREN
Q
A
How do you reflect on the 10-0
victory over Cyprus?
It was a great result and a very good
performance. I thought we defended
well when we had to and there was a
lot of good attacking play. We can learn
from that chance that Cyprus had early
on when they hit the post. If that went in
it could have been a different game, so
it’s important to take on those learning
opportunities and make sure we’re well
prepared for Portugal.
Q
The scoring was shared around the
squad and you gave a few different
players a chance. How positive
was it to see strong performances
throughout the team?
A
We were able to pick a team which
were capable of beating Cyprus and
they made that an almost certainty by
half-time, scoring five unanswered goals.
That allowed us to give some other
players a chance to come in and play,
showing their capabilities to impress and
play for their country.
A result like that helps massively and
gives the players a bit more confidence
in front of goal. There’s been previous
games where we’ve made a lot of
chances but not converted. In that match
the conversion rate was high, which was
pleasing. It shows that the players are
buying into the way we’re working as it
has brought success. Hopefully we can
replicate that against Portugal.
Q
How impressed have you been by
the quality of the players included in
the squad?
A
I’ve been impressed with their
application and attitude. They’ve
3
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
5
wanted to work hard in training and
they’ve taken on the ideas put forward
to them. They’ve been responsive in
asking questions and providing feedback
on performances. We’re impressed with
the level of quality, as I knew I would be.
Hopefully that will translate to when we
take to the field for the game.
Q
After a disappointing qualifying
campaign, how much of this week’s
focus has been to end it on a high?
A
It’s essential we do that. At
international football all the players
are technically, tactically and physically
prepared, so the biggest difference you
can make is in your mentality. It goes
without saying you’ll always do better at
something when you’re enjoying it.
It’s a credit to the players that they
realise the two games in Cyprus have
represented the start of the next stage,
and they’re determined to kick on from
Friday’s impressive win and ensure we
end the campaign on a high. We’ve
enjoyed this week, and while it is a little
unconventional to be playing our ‘home
match’ in Cyprus, it has been a smooth
transition as it’s allowed us to be settled
out in Larnaca, and we’ve prepared well
for the game against Portugal.
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2022 QUALIFIER
PLAYER FOCUS
6
GRAHAM AIMING
TO MAKE HER
MARK WITH
NATIONAL TEAM
Since starting out at Cowdenbeath Central Boys Club,
Lucy Graham has come a long way in a short space of time.
After moving to Dunfermline and
Hibernian, Graham looked to broaden
her horizons with stints in Sweden,
and with Bristol City. Aged 24, Graham
captained Everton and took centre
stage last year when she led her side
out at Wembley in the FA Cup Final.
Despite defeat, she has a taste for the
big stage and is now aiming to have a
similar impact with her national team.
She sat down in Cyprus to talk about her
journey so far and her next ambitions...
Q
A
Lucy, what are your earliest
memories of playing football?
I started playing in the streets with
friends when I was about sevenyears
old and I was always active as a
kid, whatever the weather. I grew up in
a typical council estate environment in a
small town in Fife called Ballingry, which
I really enjoyed.
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
When I first started out I remember my
Gran taking me on the bus to this little
sports shop on the local high street.
She got me a wee pair of red and black
Puma Kings and that’s where it all
started.
I lived opposite a community centre
which is knocked down now and that
makes me sad. There was always
something going on there, and then
close to that there was a horrendous
AstroTurf where I learned to play
football. It wasn’t like the good 4G stuff
you get now. This was a padded, sandy
surface that would tear your skin off if
you fell on it. That’s been demolished
as well.
I would walk to school kicking a ball,
play football at break time and then
when school finished I would rush home
to play it again. I’ve been obsessed ever
since I first kicked a ball.
Did you play mostly with boys when
Q you started out? What was that like?
A
Until I had to join a girls team at 13
I was the only female I knew who
actually played football. There were a
few who joined in but it wasn’t like they
took it seriously. One of them would be
doing a handstand in the corner and
the other would be doing a cartwheel
across the pitch.
I started at Cowdenbeath Central Boys
Club when I was about eight and I was
there for five years. As a girl I felt I had
to earn respect right away. I would turn
up and I could hear them saying, ‘I’m not
wanting a girl on my team’ or ‘I’m not
passing to her’. Once I skipped by them
a few times and knocked them over they
soon realised I played just like them.
Q
You must feel a lot of pride in being
a role model for younger girls and
boys in Ballingry?
A
You can never forget your roots. All
the young kids in that estate are
playing football on the exact same place
I did, booting a ball against the same
wall that still has the same white dot
that I spent hours trying to hit.
My friends call me the local celebrity
when I’m back home as everywhere I go
in Ballingry there’s always people who
come and talk to me about my football.
For me, I’ll always be the wee girl
playing at the local AstroTurf and I find
it humbling that people might see me as
a role model.
Last summer I was back home and there
were young kids who were chapping
my dad’s door and asking me to come
out to play. I was out there like a shot as
I know if I was their age and there was
a professional footballer living in the
same street, I’d be the first to knock on
the door. They were asking me all the
questions. It was great fun.
Q
A
How are you finding life
at Everton?
We’re going from strength
to strength and being in that
environment now has really improved
7
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

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SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
me as a player. It is always asking
questions of me, performance and
leadership wise. I always try to lead by
example, as captain. I am keen on us
all gelling together and knowing each
other’s needs on and off the park to
make sure we’re functioning as well as
possible.
There are a number of strong characters
in the dressing room at Everton
but I make sure that I don’t change,
regardless of who else is there. It’s great
to have experienced players coming into
the club as it means I can learn from
them as well.
The ethos of the squad is that no-one
is bigger than the team. Everyone does
everything for the side’s greater good.
Q
You captained Everton at the FA Cup
Final last year, against Manchester
City. Despite the defeat what did you
learn from that experience?
A
One of our main targets last season
was to reach Wembley so to do
that was a brilliant achievement. I
remember when we first walked out
onto the pitch, the big flames went up
next to the tunnel and it totally caught
me unawares. After that I just tried to
get in the zone but the build-up and
preparation was brilliant. It was a game
I was looking forward to so much.
Q
How focused are you to play
consistently for Scotland and make
your mark with the national team?
A
It’s a massive goal of mine to
represent Scotland as often as
possible. It’s not always gone my way
when it has come to the national team,
but I’ve always kept myself ready and
whenever the calls have come I’ve been
in a good position to do my bit and chip
in. We’ve entered a new era now and
I’m ready for whatever comes my way.
Q
How have you and the team
recovered from not qualifying from
Euro 2022?
A
It’s been incredibly frustrating
and a lot of the girls were really
disappointed. To not get over the line
and into a Euros in England was gutting,
but it obviously wasn’t meant to be. We
did well against Cyprus and we now
need to keep that going today and finish
the campaign on a high.
The girls haven’t dwelled on the
disappointment too much and I think
that showed in the 10-0 win over
Cyprus.
Sometimes you have disappointing
moments in your career but you need to
make sure you don’t let those setbacks
affect you.
Q
A
What has this week been like,
spending a lot of time in Cyprus?
It’s probably helped in preparation
for today, taking out that travel
which can sometimes be quite tiring.
We’ve had a good week in Larnaca and
we’ve benefitted from not having to
travel a lot.
I’ve found Stuart McLaren to be excellent
this week. A number of the players
had worked with him prior to the camp
and spoke highly of him. The coaching
staff have been really concise in their
messaging to the team and we’re all just
eager to end this camp on a high.
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ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2022 QUALIFIER
TEAM-MATES WITH
NICOLA DOCHERTY
10
Most skilful? Caroline Weir is
unplayable when she has the ball. She
has got swivel hips, you just don’t know
where she’s going to go. She’s scored
a few screamers recently but it’s no
surprise to me as she does it all the time.
Corsie tweeted she’s the best player in
the league and she’s not wrong.
If you could be a team-mate
for the day, who would you be?
Emma Mitchell is the team joker so
I would love to know what goes through
her head. Some of the stuff she comes
away with is just incredible. She’s great
to have around the group and brings
something different.
Who’s the funniest? The duo of Lisa
Evans and Emma Mitchell are just
amazing to be around. Constantly
making people laugh.
Who’s the unsung hero in the squad?
Lee Alexander. There’s been times we’ve
been under the cosh but she’s kept us in
the game and helped us win. She brings
a lot to the table in terms of our skill level
and crucial saves.
Who’s future Scotland captain
material? I would have to say Caroline
Weir. She’s been brought through the
youth set-up, she’s an unbelievable
player and everyone looks up to her. She
would take on that role really well.
Best music taste? I’ll give my wee pal
Sam Kerr some credit. She’s always
producing some decent tunes.
Worst music taste? Probably me. I love
some old stuff like Patsy Cline.
Best player you’ve played with?
Kim Little, as she’ll fall out with me if I
don’t say her. Kim is known to be world
class and I’ve been lucky enough to play
with the peak of her career. She’s so
technically gifted. We get on really well
and we were flatmates at the Algarve
Cup in 2019. I brought Kim out of her
shell a little bit, giving her a wee bit of
stick which no-one really gives her. I
was calling her ‘big-time’ constantly so
that brought her back down to earth
a bit. At the World Cup I asked her for
her shirt, which makes me sound like a
creepy fan!
Best player you’ve played against?
One of my first games for Scotland was
against the Netherlands and I played
against Manon Melis. You just never
knew what she was going to do.
Fastest? Between Kirsty Smith and
Lisa Evans.
Cleverest? Rachel Corsie, the chartered
accountant in the squad.
Best chef in the squad? Not any of the
vegans any way! I don’t think any of
the girls are great in the
kitchen but I’ll choose
Claire Emslie as her
boyfriend Jonny is a
chef for a lot of Premier
League footballers. His
pancakes on Instagram
looked incredible.
What’s it like living
with Sam Kerr? She’s
my best mate so she’s
easy to live with as
there’s plenty to talk
about, but she’s not
good at tidying up and
never does the dishes.
Her bedroom is also
an absolute tip!
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
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ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE
SCOTLAND WOMEN’S
NATIONAL TEAM
SparScotlandOfficial
@SparScotland
www.cjlang.co.uk
www.sparscotland.co.uk
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SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
LAST MATCH LOOK BACK
CYPRUS 0
SCOTLAND 10
FRIDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2021
WOMEN’S EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
QUALIFYING – GROUP E
AEK ARENA, LARNACA
Scotland hit double figures for the
first time since 2015, as they thrashed
Cyprus in interim head coach Stuart
McLaren’s first game in charge.
After opening their European
Championship Qualifying campaign
with an eight-goal win against the
same opponents in Edinburgh, the Scots
went better this time around with a
ruthless 10-0 display at the AEK Arena
in Larnaca.
13
Erin Cuthbert, Martha Thomas and
Jane Ross all struck doubles, with Lizzie
Arnot, Claire Emslie, Kirsty Hanson and
Caroline Weir also on target in the rout.
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

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SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
SCOTTISH FA LAUNCHES E-LEARNING HOMOPHOBIA
COURSE TO EDUCATE AND RAISE AWARENESS
The Scottish FA has partnered with LEAP Sports and Football v Homophobia
Scotland to launch the Football Unites; Football v Homophobia Scotland
E-Learning course.
The 2020 publication of the Scottish Football
Supporters Survey showed less than half of
fans feel Scottish football is an inclusive place
for people of any sexual orientation.
The launch of the E-Learning module aims
to combat this statistic and coincides with
Football v Homophobia Month of Action,
which uses the month of February to promote
positive action against discrimination based
on sexual orientation or gender identity
throughout football.
The creation of the E-Learning module was one
of the key actions in the Scottish FA’s Football
v Homophobia strategy, which was launched
last year in conjunction with LEAP Sports and
Football v Homophobia Scotland. It aims to
ensure Scottish football is inclusive of lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI)
people, concentrating particularly on policy
and procedure, education and communication
across all levels of the game.
The commitment to support LGBTI participation
within Scottish Football is part of Scottish FA’s
Football Unites equality framework which aims
to ensure Scottish football is reflective and
representative of the demographic of Scotland,
whilst working to remove barriers to participate
within the game. This E-Learning module is the
latest education programme to be launched
following on from existing modules specialising
in mental health and equality.
David McArdle, Scottish FA Diversity and
Inclusion Manager, said: “We are delighted
to work in partnership with LEAP Sports and
Football v Homophobia Scotland to further
educate the Scottish game in LGBTI awareness
and support participation. Education is key
in striving to ensure there are no barriers to
participate within Scottish football and the
creation of such a resource will allow for a
greater understanding of the challenges faced
within the LGBTI community.
“The Football Unites; Football v Homophobia
Scotland E-Learning module is the third
Equality E-Learning provision within the
Scottish FA coach education pathway following
the launch of the Mental Health Awareness and
Equality in Scottish Football, which have both
proved very successful.”
15
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

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SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
QUICKFIRE Q&A
LISA ROBERTSON
Favourite stadium you’ve played at
and what game was it? Easter Road
in the Champions League. It wasn’t the
best result but as a Hibs fan I always
wanted to play at Easter Road in front of
thousands of fans.
Favourite holiday destination? Cancun,
Mexico.
Best game you’ve been involved in and
why? Obviously my debut for Scotland
is very special to me. Hibs in the Scottish
Cup Final in 2016 v Glasgow City was
also great, where I scored and we went
on to win on penalties.
Pre-match meal? Chicken and veg.
Most memorable game you’ve been
to? Hibs v Rangers in the Scottish Cup
Final in 2016, when Hibs scored a lastminute
winner.
Best player you’ve played with and
why? ‘Mac’ (Sarah Robson). She’s
one that goes unnoticed but playing
alongside her brought the best out in me
as she’s got a bit of everything to her
game. Just overall quality.
Best player you’ve played against and
why? Vivianne Miedema because every
time she touched the ball I thought she
was going to score.
If you could be a Scotland team-mate
for a day, who would you be and why?
Lizzie Arnot because I’d love to be fast
for the day, then go home and eat all the
cakes she makes.
Favourite Scotland kit? White Adidas
away kit in 2012.
Favourite film? ‘Wolf of Wall Street’.
Favourite TV show? ‘Line of Duty’.
Pet hates? Loud eaters.
17
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2022 QUALIFIER
18
MANAGER:
Stuart McLaren
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
Megan Cunningham
Rangers
Jenna Fife
Rangers
Jen Beattie
Arsenal
Rachael Boyle
Hibernian
Rachel Corsie
Kansas City
Nicola Docherty
Rangers
Sophie Howard
Leicester City
Emma Mitchell
Reading
Rachel McLauchlan
Rangers
Lucy Graham
Everton
Sam Kerr
Rangers
Lisa Robertson
Celtic
Natalie Ross
Celtic
Caroline Weir
Manchester City
Lizzie Arnot
Rangers
Erin Cuthbert
Chelsea
Claire Emslie
Everton
Lisa Evans
Arsenal
Kirsty Hanson
Manchester United
Zoe Ness
Rangers
Jane Ross
Manchester United
Martha Thomas
West Ham United
PORTGUAL
MANAGER:
Francisco Neto
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
Rute Costa
FC Famalicao
Ines Pereira
Sporting CP
Patricia Morais
Sporting CP
Alicia Correia
Sporting CP
Ana Secia
Sl Benfica
Carole Costa
Sl Benfica
Diana Gomes
Sc Braga
Joana Marchao
Sporting Cp
Monica Mendes
Sporting Cp
Silvia Rebelo
Sl Benfica
Ana Capeta
Sporting Cp
Andreia Norton
Sc Braga
Andreia Jacinto
Sporting Cp
Andreia Faria
Sl Benfica
Claudio Neto
Fiorentina
Dolores Silva
Sc Braga
Fatima Pinto
Sporting Cp
Francisca Nazerth
Sl Benfica
Tatiana Pinto
Sporting Cp
Vanessa Marques
Ferencvaros Tc
Ana Borges
Sporting Cp
Carolina Mendes
Sporting Cp
Catarina Amado
Sl Benfica
Diana Silva
Aston Villa
Jessica Silva
Olympique Lyonnais
Telma Encamacao
Cs Maritimo Da Madeira
Match Officials: Referee: Sara Persson SWE
Assistant referees: Josefin Aronsson SWE Jilan Taher SWE
Fourth official: Pernilla Larsson SWE
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021

SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL / UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2021 QUALIFIER
sam kerr
MATCHDAY
PLAYLIST
What You Did – Ella Mai & Mahalia
Ain’t It Different – Headie One
Come Around Me – Justin Bieber
Along Came Polly – Rebuke
Ego Death – ty dolla sign, Kanye West
Go Crazy – Chris Brown
Diamonds in the Mud – Gerry Cinnamon
Late Night Feelings – Mark Ronson
Come Over – Jorja Smith
Young Hearts Run Free – Candy Station
Hallucinogenics – Matt Maeson
Etta James – At Last
Lullaby – Gerry Cinnamon
High – Miley Cyrus
19
ANTONIS PAPADOPOULOS STADIUM / TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2021