Avoch footballer set to take on Cyprus in European Championship qualifier
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FORMER Inverness City footballer Rachel McLauchlan is in the Scotland squad to face Cyprus in the Euro 2022 qualifiers today.
The 23-year-old from Avoch, who now plays for Rangers in the SWPL, could win her eighth cap in Larnaca.
Scotland will also face Portugal in Larnaca on Tuesday as a result of the impact of the coronavirus, with both games being switched to the same venue.
Scotland have already failed to qualify for the European Championships in England next year after a disastrous qualifying campaign.
They lost twice to group leaders Finland 1-0 despite dominating both matches as well as lost in Portugal, meaning they can’t finish in the top two places.
Head coach Stuart McLaren says despite not being able to reach the European Championships, they are looking to end the campaign on a high.
“Any time Scotland play they are playing to win,” he said.
“Over recent years there’s been some terrific success.
“But unfortunately they’ve had some tough situations to deal with in the last year and a half.
“It’s now about responding to them positively and I’m sure the players are as determined as ever to win these two matches and get the positivity back.
“It’s unfortunate that we’ll miss people of the calibre of Kirsty Smith, Kim Little, Hannah Godfrey, Chloe Arthur and Christie Murray.
“As is always the case when players miss out, there’s always opportunities for others including new players, and ones who haven’t featured as much as they’d like.”
McLauchlan started her senior career at Inverness City, before transferring to Aberdeen in 2014.
In 2016 she joined Hibernian and moved to English club Yeovil Town in January 2019. She signed for Glasgow City six months later before joining Rangers.
Kick-off is at 1pm, and the game is being broadcast live on BBC Alba.
