Michael McArdle not sure what to expect from Austria after change in coach

Interim Scotland boss Michael McArdle admits there will be an element of unpredictability when they face Austria in the Josko Arena on Friday.

McArdle prepares for his first game in charge since taking over from Pedro Martinez Losa who left after the 2-0 second-leg defeat by Finland in December ended hopes of reaching Euro 2025.

In the Scots’ first Nations League fixture this year McArdle will come up against new Austria head coach Alexander Schriebl, who took over in January when succeeding Irene Fuhrmann.

“It makes it a little bit more unpredictable,” he told BBC Scotland.

“But what we can do is we’ve got a lot of experience playing Austria across various age groups and national-team level.

“So we understand the bits of their identity that won’t change and the behaviours of their style of play.

“The new head coach, Alexander, we’ve studied also. So putting both together, we can do our best to predict what we can.

“But tomorrow evening is a lot about us and we’ll focus on how we play and our performance at the start of the group stage.”

McArdle, who made ten changes to the squad that travelled to Helsinki in December, is looking to take the opportunity to bring excitement back to the squad and the fans.

He said: “Yeah, that’s the key piece now is that we use the energy to fuel the forward thinking and the forward movements of the group and the way we play.

“As I’ve mentioned on a few occasions, it’s down to us. We need to perform in a way on the pitch that then connects with the fans and pulls all those energies into one focus moving forward.

“It’s been really enjoyable. Obviously a freshness for the players in the way that we work, but everyone’s enjoyed the approach and preparing for the game tomorrow evening.”

McArdle admits it will be a proud moment to boss Scotland Women for the first time but is focusing on the game in hand.

Scotland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since 2019, face Netherlands at Hampden Park in the second of the League A Group 1 double-header on Tuesday.

McArdle said: “Really looking forward to it. It’s a proud moment. But again, just probably reflect more after the game.

“At the moment, the focus is on that first whistle and supporting the girls as best as possible. Then probably afterwards, you reflect a wee bit more and then go again on Tuesday evening.”