Scots playing with pressure encourages Andreatta

Having members of the Scotland squad “playing with high pressure” for their clubs will benefit the national side’s quest for the World Cup, says head coach Melissa Andreatta.

Scotland will face Belgium twice next month, with both sides sitting on six points out of six from their opening World Cup qualifiers in March.

The double-header will probably be decisive in determining who wins Group B4 and claim a higher seeding for the play-offs in the race to reach Brazil 2027.

Andreatta believes her squad are ready to face better opposition after dominant wins over Luxembourg to open their campaign.

“Playing [and beating] China recently away was a good challenge, they just went deep in the Asia Cup over in Australia, they’re very close in ranking to Belgium but the context is different.

“We’re in a competitive game now, trying to qualify for something big in a major tournament. What we have is a group of players that are doing that weekly for clubs.

Scotland vice-captain Erin Cuthbert skippered Chelsea in their 3-1 Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat by Arsenal and is one of the established players called upon again by Andreatta, along with captain Caroline Weir.

Eilidh Adams has been recalled to the squad while Hibernian team-mate Kathleen McGovern is included, despite picking up an injury at the weekend.

“She’s an example of that mentality amongst the group,” said Andreatta.

“She’s been embraced by a lot of the senior players. I’m in touch with our medical team, who are in touch with Hibs and we’re taking it day-by-day but it was precautionary at this point.”

Adams, 21, missed out on this month’s wins over Luxembourg as Scotland opened their qualifying campaign with a 5-0 away win and 7-0 home victory.

Rangers defender Leah Eddie, 25, who won her fourth cap in the second meeting with Luxembourg after being a late call-up to the squad, retains her place.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Birmingham City midfielder Chelsea Cornet nd Glasgow City full-back Amy Muir, 26, are named again after having to withdraw from the previous camp.

Uncapped Rangers midfielder Jodi McLeary, 20, and Nottingham Forest midfielder Amy Rodgers, 25, are not included this time after being unused substitutes in both games against Luxembourg.

The Scots host Belgium, who beat Israel twice this month, at Easter Road on 14 April, with the return in Leuven four days later.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Australian Andreatta, who has overseen four wins, two draws and two defeats with Scotland.

“We’ll relish the challenge, that’s what this group has done from the outset. They’re a group that’s hungry to be the best that they can be and make their best even better.

“I know that’s what they’ll look to do in this window. What we know about [Belgium], they’re a team in form.”

Scotland conclude the group campaign with two matches against Israel in June.