Scotland squad announcement: Rangers starlet receives first call up ahead of July friendlies

Pedro Martinez Losa has added two new names to his Scotland squad ahead of a friendly double header in July.

Scotland boss Pedro Martinez Losa has confirmed a 22 player squad for the upcoming friendly clashes with Northern Ireland and Finland - which includes Rangers 18-year-old midfield star Kirsty Maclean for the first time.

The teenager is seen as one of the countries top young stars and, alongside Emma Watson, has been a regular feature for the Rangers first team and her form has now been awarded with her first international call up.

“Kirsty has been part of the national team youth pathway and we recgonise her as one of the most talented players” Losa told the Scotsman.

“I think she is very, very talented but I don’t expect an immediate impact in the team. We all have to understand that what happened with Emma (Watson) in the last camp is not usual. We all have to protect a little.

“When they are at home, when they feel safe and protected, they always surprise you and give you more than you expect because obviously they are young and fresh. On the other side, what is going to happen when they don’t well or whatever. She’s very talented on the ball, I already had a few chats with her to explain her challenge is the demands of the game at international at going to be much higher.

“Tactically, physically - she just needs to prove that. We will work together, the same process that happened with Emma. These players need to come to the team and be in the squad. They need to feel confident enough so they can perform, be ready to train - complete a good training session. Be ready to compete, the feeling that she is ready, can play some minutes and help the team. That would be brilliant.

London City Lionesses midfielder Amy Rodgers has also been included in the Scotland squad for the first time after switching her alligiences from England. Rodgers has represented the Lionesses at youth levels, but qualifies to play for Scotland through her Glaswegian mother and will form part of the squad this July after an impressive season with the English Championship side.

“Amy is a young player, a youth international for England before. She has a strong desire and tradition in her family to play for Scotland. We have been in discussions with her for a long time and managed to go through the eligibility. It’s a position in the team I think can help us.

“Now she is in the same condition as everyone else. She will be selected based on her performances but she is a young player who has a good presence, physicality and she can also play as a centre back.

Captain Rachel Corsie and star player Erin Cuthbert have also returned to the squad after missing the games against Australia and Costa Rica in April with injury.

Scotland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Eartha Cummings (Liverpool), Jenna Fife (Rangers)

Defenders: Jenna Clark (Glasgow City), Rachel Corsie (Aston Villa), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester City), Rachel McLauchlan (Rangers), Emma Mukandi (Unattached)

Midfielders: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lauren Davidson (Glasgow City), Sam Kerr (Bayern Munich), Kirsty Maclean (Rangers), Jamie-Lee Napier (London City Lionesses), Amy Rodgers (London City Lionesses), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid), Fiona Brown (Rosengard), Emma Watson (Rangers)

Forwards: Claire Emslie (Angel City), Kirsty Hanson (Manchester United), Brogan Hay (Rangers), Martha Thomas (Manchester United).