Scots women bid to boost nation in Spain

Published on 23/10/2012 03:53

SCOTLAND midfielder Jo Love last night revealed that she and her team-mates don’t expect a bonus from the SFA if they qualify for Euro 2013.

No Scottish team has reached a major finals since 1998, but asked if the players were looking for a reward if they become the first, the Glasgow City player said: “All we are thinking about is how it will reward Scotland, and us as individuals and as a team, to get to Sweden next summer. The reward for us is getting there.”

As the vast majority of the Scotland players are amateurs there would be tax implications in paying them cash, but it is understood that the SFA would find some way to show their appreciation.

The Scots play Spain in the second leg of their Euro play-off tomorrow night with all to play for after the teams drew 1-1 at Hampden on Saturday. Love, who has 123 caps, said: “We were a little disappointed with that performance.

“There was a bit of apprehension at the start and it took us a while to find our feet in the game. Although Spain are good at their style of play, we know we could have done much better and were hoping to take a bit more into the second leg.

“We’ve got great confidence in coming here and being able to score – that’s never been a problem for us. We also have a better idea of how Spain play now.”

One player with no doubt about tomorrow night’s outcome is Suzanne Grant. The Celtic striker, who has also played for Arsenal, Hibs and Glasgow City, said: “It will definitely be 2-0 for Scotland. There’s no pressure on us here – the pressure is all on Spain.”

Grant, who is a Hampden regular as a supporter, said the experience of playing there for the first time on Saturday had fulfilled all her expectations.

“The fans were brilliant and playing in the national stadium was a dream come true for me,” she said.

“We didn’t know much about Spain apart from video footage we were shown, but we’re more prepared now so now have to go out and qualify for Sweden.”

Tomorrow night’s game is being played at the Ciudad del Futbol complex, near Madrid, which is the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation and where the men’s team prepare for games.