Scotland: Striker Jenny Beattie hopes to dish more pain on Spain

Published on 19/10/2012 00:00

ARSENAL striker Jenny Beattie hopes the four Champions League goals she scored against Barcelona will point the way for Scotland to beat Spain at Hampden tomorrow.

The 21-year-old, who is the daughter of former Scotland rugby star John Beattie, notched the opener in a 3-0 win for her side in Barcelona. She then came off the bench in London a fortnight ago to score a second half hat-trick. Three of the Barca players are in the Spanish squad for tomorrow’s Euro 2013 first leg match at the national stadium and Beattie said: “I hope us beating them 7-0 on aggregate will be a good omen. They were really good technically, but they weren’t a tall team. Scotland have good aerial strength, with Rachel Corsie also dangerous at set pieces, which is an area we work hard on.”

Beattie, who has scored 17 goals in 57 games for Scotland, can’t wait to set foot on the Hampden turf for the first time. “I’ve been there as a fan, and watched the Olympic women’s games in the summer. I even saw an American Football game once,” she said. “But to get the chance to play there is fantastic. There were smiles on all the girls’ faces when we heard that one.”

Beattie is hoping to erase memories of the Euro 2009 play-offs by beating Spain over the two legs at Hampden and Madrid on Wednesday night. Four years ago the Scots lost to Russia on away goals despite winning the away leg 2-1. “I was only 17 at the time and probably didn’t realise what a big deal it would have been to reach the finals,” she said. “We lost the first leg at Tynecastle 3-2. You can’t lose three goals at home and expect to go through. Playing on a massive stage like Hampden will give us a lift, because there is a class atmosphere when the crowd is behind Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison has visited Uefa’s headquarters in Switzerland where she talked to president Michel Platini about support for women’s football in Scotland. “It is important we establish links with the European governing body,” she said. “I have had the pleasure of watching our national women’s team on a few occasions. They have done really well in reaching the Euro play-offs and I wish them all the best for Saturday.”