Losa: Taking Scotland to Euros would be most important moment of my career

Pedro Martinez Losa says reaching the European Championships with Scotland would be “the most important moment” of his career.

The national team will play Finland in a two-legged playoff for a place in the tournament in Switzerland next summer.

On Thursday, the manager named his 23-woman squad for the games on November 29 at Easter Road and December 3 in Finland.

Speaking to the press following the announcement he said: “I am confident and have belief in this team because I have seen them working in the last years and how they have shaped their character, determination, energy and drive to represent Scotland and to make the fans happy by qualifying for a major tournament.

“Confidence comes with preparation and I can see how much this group is prepared, but we are also always going to respect our opponent. Finland have been to four of the last five Euros so are a good team and are also going to be very prepared.

“We all want to go to the next level, the fans, the media and especially inside our group.

“For me, after three years of working towards it with Scotland, to qualify would be the most important moment of my career.

“Not just from a professional perspective, but on a personal level, I can’t wait for that, and hopefully, we can arrive together towards the objective.”

Losa made two changes to his squad, with Chelsea Cornet and Kelly Clark replacing Lauren Davidson and Kathy Hill.

He says the squad is in a strong place, with competition for places as fierce as ever.

He continued: “The decisions made are always about giving the team the best chance to win the game.

“Chelsea is a player who has always performed well for us, so it is good news that she is back, and obviously Kelly is competing in the Champions League for Celtic.

“It’s always good for us to have players playing in the group stage, and experiencing that, and it gives them a better chance of playing for us.

“Kelly has been with us before, we know her character and she has always been very positive within the group.

“We have had conversations with players who have been in previous camps and they know where they stand, this is not just about one squad.

“The whole group of players want to make the Euros and we are lucky that we now have a competitive squad and it is fine details and small moments that will decide who is in and who is out.”