Pedro Martinez Losa hails fit-again Jane Ross on return to Scotland squad

Pedro Martinez Losa described fit-again Jane Ross as one of the best players he has worked with as he welcomed her back to his Scotland Women squad.

The 34-year-old Rangers forward, capped 146 times, returns to the group for this year’s Pinatar Cup after a 17-month absence due to a knee injury.

Ross has scored 11 goals in eight games for Rangers since her comeback and the Scotland Women head coach was glad to have her back in the fold.

The Spaniard said: “She is one of the best professionals I have ever met in my career.

“She has gone through the process of the injury and now she is in good form.

“I had a continuous conversation with Jane, Rangers and their manager to know if she was in the best position.

“We all agreed that she was ready and it is good news for us.

“She is a player who knows the game very well and we are aware of what she brings to the team.

“She is one of those in the squad who knows what roles she has to play, for the team on the pitch and off the pitch and it is a pleasure to work with her.”

Chelsea Cornet, Leah Eddie and Hayley Lauder also return, while Amy Gallacher, Abi Harrison, Kirsty Maclean, Emma Mukandi and Rachel McLauchlan drop out of the 23-player squad who will depart for Spain later this month for a warm weather training camp based near Murcia.

Scotland will play the Philippines on Saturday, February 24 and the winners will face either Slovenia or Finland, with the losing teams playing for third place in the second of two fixtures on Tuesday, February 27.

The former Arsenal Women boss has to rebuild confidence after Scotland’s 6-0 thrashing by England in their final Nations League group match at Hampden Park in December.

“We have already apologised to our fans for a very difficult result,” he added, noting a clutch of players who he believes can help form the future of the national team.

“Sam Kerr, Amy Rodgers, Brogan Hay, Kirsty Hanson, Lauren Davidson, Emma Watson, Kirsty Maclean, Jenna Clark, Jamie-Lee Napier and even Erin Cuthbert, who is still very young.

“They have to (be the future). We have created a platform of safety and good atmosphere in training but this is minimal requirement which should be there but was not there on my arrival.

“We have built that for two years and we have to give them a chance.

“Some have showed the level very quick, others have taken a little more time.

“I am always going to be on their side, with my record with developing young players in different countries.

“They have to be the answer because that’s what we have and that is what we are producing.

“But also, we have a group of players with experience who have to play an important part in the future.”