Andreatta '500% sure' Scotland will reach major finals

Head coach Melissa Andreatta is "500% sure" her squad will be the ones to take Scotland to a first women's major tournament since 2019 and assures they will give "blood, sweat and tears" to do so - even if it is not next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The Scots kicked off their qualifying campaign for the 2027 edition with two handsome victories over Luxembourg and now face Group B4 top seeds Belgium home and away this week - with the first game on Tuesday live on BBC Scotland.

But Andreatta's side will need to come through at least two sets of two-legged play-offs later this year if they are to reach a first major finals in eight years.

The "glass half-full" Australian - who marked one year since her announcement as boss last week - is adamant her squad - who she says are "501% sure" - will end the drought during her tenure.

"I'm a positive person and I'd rather aim high and say this is what I want and everyone knows about it," she said as she previewed the Scots' home game against the Belgians at Easter Road.

"I think human nature is to want to help and support others. That's how we got to the moon and back, people just want to jump on board and make that possible.

"I'd rather that than play it safe because at the end of the day, if we don't get there, there's a learning and we go again for the Euros."

On the day the Scottish FA announced, external football is now the number one sport in Scotland among girls and women, with participation levels rising by 23% in the past two years - overtaking tennis for the first time - the national team boss stressed the importance to capitalise on the momentum across all levels of the game.

"We saw what major tournament qualification can do in 2017 and 2019, and it's our responsibility to keep growing that and building on that," the former Australia assistant said.

"Why stop when physical activity has so many health benefits, physically, socially, mentally?

"The world's getting tougher, it's quite easy to get lonely, isolated and lose connection and I think football is a fantastic vehicle for reconnecting humans with each other.

"So we have an opportunity when we do it again in 2027 to take that opportunity and accelerate the game and make it in front of everybody on TV, radio, in ticket sales - everyone getting behind this team like they have the men.

"I can't wait to see it because it's inevitable.

"What it means to all the staff and players, words can't even describe it, but let me reassure everybody that we're going to give everything - blood, sweat, tears to make this dream a reality and doing whatever it takes to get there."

Click here to read article