'Exciting future' forecast as Scotland overhaul squad
Michael McArdle named six uncapped players in his first Scotland squad as interim head coach for this month's women's Nations League openers, while "looking forward to an exciting future".
There are first call-ups for Celtic defender Emma Lawton, Hearts midfielder Eilidh Shore, Hibernian forward Eilidh Adams and Newcastle United midfielder Freya Gregory, who represented England at youth level.
Goalkeeper Erin Clachers and Rangers' teenage winger Mia McAulay are also included as nine players have been left out from the squad that failed in their Euro 2025 play-off final against Finland in December.
McArdle, who was appointed on a short-term basis last month while the Scottish FA continue their search for a permanent successor to Pedro Martinez Losa, has also chosen Leah Eddie, Lauren Davidson, Amy Muir and Kirsty Maclean.
"I've got real positive feelings about the future," McArdle said.
"It was a good opportunity just now to reward players for their efforts, they've earned the right to be considered.
"It's been really difficult selecting the squad, which is a real positive for us all.
"There's depth and talent there, so it's an opportunity to be fresh, try something and take us in the direction that we need to qualify for tournaments."
Captain Rachel Corsie remains out injured after suffering a set-back while there is no place for Rangers skipper Nicola Docherty - who started in Helsinki - or 115-time capped Glasgow City winger Lisa Evans.
Jenna Fife, Kelly Clark, Emma Mukandi, Shannon McGregor, Jamie-Lee Napier, Amy Rodgers and Brogan Hay also make way.
Scotland kick off their Nations League A campaign in Austria on 21 February before welcoming the Netherlands at Hampden four days later.
Germany, ranked third in the world, complete the group and face the Scots in an April double-header.
McArdle would not be drawn in on any conversation around taking the position on on a full-time basis, stressing his "full focus" is on this camp which he will lead alongside existing assistant coach, Leanne Ross.
Hibernian assistant Stewart Hall and Rangers goalkeeping coach Chris Flockhart have also joined his backroom team.
'I will bring positive energy'
McArdle has been the Scottish FA's head of women's elite football since 2023 and believes a new generation can help take Scotland back to major competitions.
"The exciting thing is I don't just feel it, I've been living it for the last two years," he said.
"Our under-17s, under-19s, under-23s, not just the way we work and we play, but also the characters that are coming through the pathways.
"The next three, four years will be an exciting moment for us all to see the work that everyone puts in across the game."
Having failed to qualify for a third major tournament in a row, McArdle said he will bring "energy" to a potentially "difficult mindset" where some players will need support after another disappointment.
"They've got that kind of feeling from the last cycle, but I will bring positive energy, and the staff that work with me bring positive energy too," he added.
"It'll certainly be something that we'll look to support the players with, because it's not easy, but it'll be a quick turnaround in the mindset."
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Erin Clachers (Hibernian, on loan from Glasgow City), Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City)
Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Kirsty Smith (West Ham)
Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Rangers), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Sam Kerr (Liverpool, on loan from Bayern Munich), Kirsty Maclean (Rangers), Eilidh Shore (Hearts), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Eilidh Adams (Hibernian), Lauren Davidson (SK Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur), Emma Watson (Everton, on loan from Manchester United)
