PEDRO Martinez Losa has recalled Celtic captain Kelly Clark and midfielder Lisa Robertson to the Scotland squad for next Friday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Poland. Robertson has returned to the club following a loan season at Birmingham City.
The postponed qualifier at the Stadion Miejski in Rzeszow – it is being played at a neutral venue because of the Russian invasion – is shaping up as the most important game since Martinez Losa replaced Shelley Kerr as permanent women's team head coach.
“It's key,” the Spaniard confirmed. “A win will pretty much guarantee second position (in the group) and that is our objective.”
Should that be achieved Scotland will qualify for October's play offs with a game to spare. Ukraine, who are in fourth place but have played two games less, need the three points to have any chance of finishing second.
The Ukrainians came very close to causing an upset in the corresponding game at Hampden, and it took a goal in time added on from Bristol City striker Abi Harrison to prevent a home defeat. However, the war in their homeland has completely changed the circumstances and Ukraine haven't played since winning the Turkish Women's Cup in February.
Their celebrations were abruptly cut short when Russia invaded just after they returned home. Four months ago 16 of the squad played for the leading two domestic clubs in Kharkiv, but the city in the east of Ukraine has been heavily bombed and the national team players are now spread throughout twelve different European countries.
They met up in Rzezsow on Tuesday and will remain in the Polish city until after their qualifier against Hungary on June 28.
AC Milan forward Christy Grimshaw has not fully recovered from injury and drops out of the squad, as does Hibernian central defender Leah Eddie.
