FRIDAY’S decision by the Scottish FA to defer the Euro 2017 squad announcement until June 27 was sensible in the circumstances.
It is still possible that the dispute with the players could be resolved ahead of the originally-planned press conference on Tuesday – but why take the risk? The SFA intend to have selected players present at the announcement, and the extra week allows more time for a resolution.
My understanding is that progress has been made in talks between the two sides, but even if agreement can be reached it has to be ratified by the SFA board.
In many ways it might have been better had the players stated their objectives before embarking on their boycott of media and commercial activities. The Irish squad made the public aware of their grievances in April, facilitating a speedy and satisfactory outcome for them as it heaped pressure on the Football Association of Ireland.
The Scotland squad have taken a different approach, choosing to keep their own counsel.
Regardless of whether or not that was the best tactic, the SFA must handle this properly, allowing the players to compete at the Euros unburdened by frustration and resentment.
The squad are not making unreasonable demands. As one might expect, some are about equality and others are financial.
Having given everything, for very little reward, to get Scotland to the Euros, the players deserve a positive outcome.
STANDING on the touchline in Vaxjo, with the stadium clock showing less than 10 minutes to be played, Anna Signeul must have been entertaining thoughts of a first draw against her native Sweden on Tuesday.
It was the sixth and – barring an improbable series of events in the Netherlands – final time Signeul will oppose her fellow countrywomen as Scotland head coach. A header from the imperious Caroline Seger ensured it would be six wins out of six for Sweden, but the margin of victory was the narrowest since the identical 1-0 scoreline in 2007.
Set against the seemingly never-ending injury problems, it was a result Signeul would have grabbed before kick-off. Scotland barely mustered an attack and although there was much courageous resolution to their defending, the scoreline was also kept down by indifferent Swedish finishing.
The biggest plus was confirmation that Vaila Barsley, pictured, is a real find. The towering central defender was ably abetted by Joelle Murray for the first hour, with Rachel Corsie also dropping back in the first half to provide extra cover. Gemma Fay had an assured game in goal, but, as England and Spain will have noted, Scotland remain vulnerable in the full-back areas.
Fiona Brown, who was brilliant against Romania, and Lisa Evans spent nearly all their energy tracking back, leaving a lonely Jane Ross to forage for scraps of possession.
When Signeul does get round to announcing her Euro squad, places will be left open for the injured Jen Beattie and Emma Mitchell. The latter is a long shot as she hasn’t played since March 3, but having both available as full-back options would be a huge bonus for the head coach.
THE shock scoreline of the season to date was Rangers’ 4-1 win over Celtic in midweek. New head coach Amy McDonald has made an impressive start, and today her side host Aberdeen in the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.
Holders Hibernian have an interesting away tie at Motherwell. The latter’s comparatively-new head coach, Greg Rodgers, has hit the ground running with six wins and a draw in his first seven games.
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