Michael McArdle relishing seeing Scotland test themselves against Germany

Scotland interim boss Michael McArdle described Germany as “perfect opposition” ahead of their Nations League double-header next month.

The Scots began their League A campaign with a 1-0 defeat in Austria and a 2-1 home loss to Netherlands, leaving them bottom of Group 1 as they turn their attention to the Germans, ranked third in the world and who are top of the section with four points.

McArdle welcomed Erin Cuthbert back into the squad for the games on April 4 in Dundee and April 8 in Wolfsburg, after the Chelsea midfielder recovered from a hip injury.

He said: “You see that the difference between League A and League B is you’ll get 30 per cent to 50 per cent less chances around the opposition box and you have more against you and it’s that clinical action in both boxes so definitely something for us to reflect on now, take those learnings and focus on moving forward.

“It’s perfect opposition, extremely difficult. Test yourself against the best, especially for the younger players.

“(Germany) third in the world, second in Europe and looking at the Champions League quarter-finals over the last couple of midweeks they’ve got 30 German players across the Champions League quarter-finals.

“So well established, high level and for us it’s about can we improve those clinical actions?

“Can we get better at those moments and no better place to do that than against Germany across two games.

“So it’s perfect for us to play and see those benchmarks and it’s something we do across the pathway.

“If I take the example of our Under-15s at the weekend, we go down to St George’s to play England because we want to play the best as often as possible.

“So very similar for the national team just now, we have earned the reward of League A, it is perfect for us to go out and test ourselves against that level.”

Cuthbert, Amy Rodgers and Sandy MacIver replace Mia McAulay, Eilidh Shore and Erin Clachers.

McArdle, who took over the post on a temporary basis after Pedro Martinez Losa was sacked last December, said: “Delighted with Erin’s return, obviously playing well with her club just now in a very busy programme.

“Playing at a high level and also experience, caps, and when there’s a transition in the squad, obviously the cap experience changes as well.

“We are focused on the long-term strategy around an average age of the squad of about 27 and 44 caps for qualifying for competitions and performing well within competitions.

“So Erin brings that significant experience that will help performance, but also help some of the younger players in the squad to learn and prepare for the future.”