There were plaudits but no points on Friday night as Scotland left the Stadium of Light.
Having faced the World Cup finalists and reigning European Champions on home soil, however, there was no disgrace in a 2-1 defeat where, on another day, Pedro Martinez Losa’s side may have left with a point for their efforts.
Had VAR been in operation that may well have been the case with two decent penalty shouts slipping under the radar. Kirsty Hanson, who pulled Scotland into the game with her goal on the cusp of the interval and then was denied an equaliser by a crossbar, has insisted that Scotland are capable of absorbing the lessons of Friday as they now prepare for the challenge of Belgium at Hampden tomorrow night.
“We scored against the World Cup finalists,” said Hanson. “Not everyone can do that. They didn’t concede many in the World Cup and we need to build on that and believe in ourselves.
“We came up against the best on Friday night and I think we can definitely keep on adding to that. “I definitely think there is more to come from us. There are things for us to improve but we are definitely getting closer and closer to the next level.”
Hanson also revealed that she was so sure her effort that came off the woodwork had gone in that she had already allowed herself to celebrate.
“I thought it had gone in,” she said. “I saw it loop in and I was already celebrating and then it came off the crossbar. But I am going to be taking more shots now.
“I feel a lot more confident now which comes from the fact that I have been playing so much more this season.
“At Villa, I just feel as though there is a real belief in me.
“I feel confident. I am starting to feel that for Scotland too. It is nice to have that belief behind me and there is so much more to come from me.”
Belgium got their campaign off to a winning start on Friday night too with a positive result necessary for Scotland if they don’t want to find themselves marooned at the bottom end of the table after the opening double header.
“Belgium beat The Netherlands on Friday night so I think it will be a tough game,” said Hanson. “We have prepared well for it and we just have to approach the game in the same vein that we did the game against England.
“They are a very good team on the ball. They are physical and organised but we are just going to focus on ourselves and keep working hard and fighting for one another.
“But I think the performance on Friday night against England shows the improvement in the squad. We know what we all bring to the team. We are encouraging one another and we have shown that we can compete against the best teams.”
Hanson also welcomed the news that Martinez Losa has signed an extension to his current deal as he seeks to take Scotland back to a major tournament.
“We have got exciting years ahead with him,” said Hanson. “I am looking forward to the challenge of trying to get us back to that level and I think he can help us get there.”
