Injury-hit Scotland can still pick up wins, says Nicola Docherty ahead of UEFA Nations League Dutch doubler header

Scotland ace and Redding native Nicola Docherty says the national team can use their recent injury crisis as motivation ahead of their upcoming crunch UEFA Nations League clashes with Netherlands.
By Ben Kearney
Published 24th Oct 2023, 03:17 BST
Updated 24th Oct 2023, 03:18 BST
Nicola Docherty of Scotland inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Women's Nations League match between England and Scotland at Stadium of Light on September 22, 2023 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Nicola Docherty of Scotland inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Women's Nations League match between England and Scotland at Stadium of Light on September 22, 2023 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Nicola Docherty of Scotland inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Women's Nations League match between England and Scotland at Stadium of Light on September 22, 2023 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Pedro Martinez Losa’s side lost key midfielders Caroline Weir and Emma Watson to anterior cruciate ligaments injuries during the last camp and have been dealt further injury blows with Falkirk-based Sam Kerr ruled out ahead of their back to back games with Netherlands, while Erin Cuthbert is also a doubt with a quad injury but Rangers full back Docherty insists the team will use it as fuel.

"Of course people will be speaking about the the injuries but I feel like the squad and the depth that we have – there’s enough there to compete” said Rangers defender Docherty. "I genuinely think that with the amount of injuries we’ve got in the squad, there’s a real desire to go and win these matches. It is almost like we want to do it for the girls that aren’t here because we’re obviously gutted that such key players are out of the squad at the moment.

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"We want to make sure we can win these matches – always for Scotland and the fans and our families – but the girls that certainly aren’t here. We’re gutted for them so we want to make that we try and get a result and try and stay in League A (of the Nations League).”.

Falkirk native Sam Kerr, formerly of Central Girls, is hoping to make her league debut but that has been put on hold due to an injury ruling her out of action (Photo: Vera Loitzsch/Getty Images)Falkirk native Sam Kerr, formerly of Central Girls, is hoping to make her league debut but that has been put on hold due to an injury ruling her out of action (Photo: Vera Loitzsch/Getty Images)
Falkirk native Sam Kerr, formerly of Central Girls, is hoping to make her league debut but that has been put on hold due to an injury ruling her out of action (Photo: Vera Loitzsch/Getty Images)

Scotland face the Dutch national team in Nijmegen on Friday before they welcome Andries Jonker’s side to Hampden Park next Tuesday and Docherty discussed what challenges they will bring but why recent results give her so much confidence.

“We’ve played them (Netherlands) recently before and lost narrowly to a set piece,” she explained. “It is going to be a tough game and we respect all the opponents we play against but for us, we know if we can play to the best of our ability then we feel like we can beat anyone.

"That second half of the England game we really competed so if we can turn up like we did we should be able to get a result.”

Ex-Central Girls star Kerr is yet to make her Frauen-Bundesliga debut for giants Bayern Munich after making a stunning summer move from Rangers.

Related topics:ScotlandNetherlandsRangers