McArdle makes case to be full-time Scotland boss

If it were a game of tennis, the ball would be in the Scottish FA’s court.

In the wake of the Netherlands’ humiliating defeat, interim head coach Michael McArdle stated that he would “be prepared right away” in the event that the SFA decided to extend his post-residency.

He hasn’t given a damn about that since being appointed interim boss of the women’s Nations League’s opening two games last month. Until now.

He insisted that his “full focus” was serving his country for Austria away from home and the Netherlands at home, and he hadn’t given it any thought of permanently taking on the position. His first squad included six uncapped players and omitted 10 players from the previous camp.

His response to the same question, which has now passed the games, was that he is “ready” for any opportunity that arises, but it is one that is beyond his control and has not shown any sign of.

After failing to qualify for Euro 2025, McArdle was given a somewhat unenviable task: picking up a Scotland side that had been battered, bruised, and put through a painful – but necessary – post-mortem.

He opted to be brave and bold by calling up young people he’d worked with across various youth levels, rather than inheriting a squad full of scars.

A forward-thinking, yet eyebrow-raising decision, which threatened to be thrown back in his face following Friday’s flat 1-0 defeat in Austria.

The 45-year-old insisted “blind steps” had been taken, and there were plenty of positives – not least three debuts being made at Josko Arena.

He doubled down against the Dutch, dropping Bayern Munich’s Sam Kerr, Rangers ‘ Chelsea Cornet, Angel City’s Claire Emslie and Tottenham Hotspur’s Martha Thomas from the starting XI.

For 55 minutes or so at Hampden, it was something of a masterstroke. Yes, the Scots were penned in by their superior fans, but Emma Lawton’s fierce strike earned her her second international start.

There was no implosion even when Andries Jonkers side undeservedly turned the tables.

Celtic full-back Lawton, a worthy player of the match, continued to press and probe an uber-talented Dutch team, while Eilidh Adams – leading the line from the off for the first time – was a handful.

McArdle stressed the value of his players’ standing and being counted during the period leading up to each game. And while there was a marked improvement, it was his inexperienced heads who impressed again.

Perhaps it’s down to their “lack of burden from previous experiences” as the head-coach said pre-Netherlands, or their eagerness to “take risks”, as he cited post-match.

A key quality that, due to the lack of it, contributed to Scotland’s failure in Finland. For too long, it’s been all too safe.

Appointing McArdle may seem like a gamble because he has a lot of experience at this level, but he has.