Lisa Evans backs Scotland to rise to challenge against England in Nations League

Lisa Evans feels Scotland can rise to the challenge of making a “dream start” to their Nations League campaign against England at the Stadium of Light.

Pedro Martinez Losa’s squad take on the Women’s World Cup runners-up on Friday night looking to make a statement of intent in the opening Group A1 fixture as they aim to extend a six-game unbeaten run.

With Belgium coming to Hampden Park next week and then a trip to the Netherlands in October, West Ham winger Evans believes Scotland will relish testing themselves against the best.

“It is the calibre of the teams you are playing, it is not just turning up for friendly games,” Evans said in an interview on Scottish Football Association’s YouTube channel.

“It is a dream start against England at the Stadium of Light, and these are the teams you want to be playing: Belgium and Holland, some of the best teams in the world.”

Evans added: “We are just focused on ourselves. You can say what you want about England, they are one of the best teams in the world.

“They have shown that with the World Cup they had and were unfortunate not to win it in the end, on the back of their Euro success as well.

“They are at the top of the their game right now, with some of the best players in the world playing in the top league in the world.

“It will be a massive test for us, but one we are looking forward to.”

Captain Rachel Corsie is back from injury along with Angel City’s Claire Emslie and AC Milan’s Christy Grimshaw while Celtic attacker Amy Gallacher has earned a first call-up.

Scotland, though, suffered a major blow ahead of the opening Nations League fixtures with the loss of Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert through injury.