Pedro Losa hails return of Emma Mitchell to Scotland squad after birth of her daughter

Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa has hailed the reintroduction of Emma Mitchell to the squad as the defender makes her return to the national team for the first time since the birth of her daughter earlier this year.

The Reading right back has been named in the squad to take on the Netherlands and the Faroe Islands next month as she returns to action following the pregnancy.

Losa says the 29-year-old right back had to be included as he praised her energy and passion for the national team.

So determined to get her back into the squad he has even helped make arrangements to bring the new-born into the camp.

He said: “She’s a very energetic player and she’s really excited.

“To be honest, yesterday we spoke again about the logistics of bringing the baby on camp, and I think that’s
pretty much all sorted considering that we will have one more member of the team with us and we all will have to cooperate because it’s our first experience.

“But I think that is another opportunity to prove in another area where things can be done and how it should be.”

The manager, who also has a young daughter, says Mitchell can be used as a role model to young fans to show that mothers can still follow their dreams no matter what industry they are in.

He said: “A player like Emma, who has an incredible value and feels very proud to play for Scotland, has to be included in the camp and has to still dream about playing the World Cup and continue her career.”

“I think there’s one aspect of the progress of the game in Scotland is to create these role models. And I’m not saying we don’t have it, but we have to encourage women to lead and to have this responsibility and to also have these opportunities.

“So we have to provide the platform for women to empower them to have different, not only football, in different positions of responsibility and obviously to believe and make the girls that are growing believe that this is possible.

“It should be that that’s the first step. And the other step, obviously, is to provide opportunities at all the levels so this can happen.”

Mitchell, Fiona Brown and Rachel McLauchlan are all back in the fold, though Christy Grimshaw and Jane Ross miss out through injury.

Scotland squad in full

Eartha Cumings Liverpool
Jenna Fife Rangers
Lee Gibson Glasgow City
Jen Beattie Arsenal
Jenna Clark Glasgow City
Kelly Clark Celtic
Rachel Corsie Aston Villa
Nicola Docherty Rangers
Sophie Howard Leicester City
Rachel McLauchlan Rangers
Emma Mitchell Reading
Chloe Arthur Crystal Palace
Lisa Evans West Ham
Lucy Graham Everton
Sam Kerr Rangers
Christie Murray Birmingham City
Caroline Weir Real Madrid
Fiona Brown FC Rosengard
Lana Clelland Sassuolo
Erin Cuthbert Chelsea
Claire Emslie Angel City
Abi Harrison Bristol City
Martha Thomas Manchester United