Ross urges Scotland to 'bring the magic' as World Cup play-offs start in Pardubice

Leanne Ross, Scotland's assistant coach, said the day before the team's trip to Pardubice, east of Prague, that reaching the World Cup would be "huge" as Scotland prepare for the round one play-off first leg against the Czech Republic.

Ross is Scotland's most decorated player, having earned 133 international caps and won 14 league titles and 13 major cup medals across her playing career; she represented Scotland at Euro 2017 but retired after those finals and did not take part in the 2019 World Cup in France. Scotland remain some way from "booking flights and hotels for Brazil 2027," with the immediate challenge a round one play-off double-header against the Czech Republic, a tie that will be shown live on the BBC.

"I never got to do it as a player, reaching that World Cup stage. "I played in the Euro finals and that was an amazing experience and just topped off my career as a player, but to go and do it as part of the coaching staff, it would be such a proud moment," Ross said, adding that the opportunity to be involved at World Cup level as coach would be special.

Ross has moved into coaching within the Scotland setup after a distinguished playing career and is part of the senior staff tasked with preparing the squad. She and the team retain memories of recent near-misses: two years ago Finland denied Scotland a place at the 2025 Euros, and prior to that the Republic of Ireland progressed to the World Cup in Australia, results that many in the squad still feel the effects of.

There is an external concern that a similar fate could recur, with Sweden potentially awaiting in round two, but Ross pointed to belief within the group and the players' individual qualities. She said the confidence of "getting back to where we want to be" comes from the squad bringing their "magic" into the team.

"The progress that we're making and the way that we're playing at this moment is a real good opportunity for us to do that," Ross - who is Glasgow City head coach - said of ending the team's eight-year wait for a return to a major tournament. "You look at the quality we have, the teams that they're playing for, the environments that they're in and individually them bringing their magic into this team and putting that all together. "I think it's a really exciting time for Scotland with the players we have. We need to make sure we give them the platform to go, play and get themselves on that world stage."

Scotland's immediate schedule is the two-legged round one play-off against the Czech Republic, with the first leg in Pardubice, east of Prague, and the fixture covered live on the BBC.