Shepherd aims for return to top eight

EUROPEAN INDOOR NATION CHAMPIONSHIPS 11 – SLAGELSE –
20-22 JANUARY 2012

Scotland women`s indoor squad travel to Slagelse this
weekend to take on Switzerland, France and hosts Denmark in the
pool competition of the European Nations Championships II, and
coach Gordon Shepherd is determined to make a quick return to
Europe`s elite top eight.

“My targets are to develop players and see how some new players
deal with the pressures of international hockey,  but we will
be looking to finish in the top two and achieve promotion.”

Shepherd has not selected indoor specialists, instead he has
gone for established outdoor internationalists like Kat Cameron,
Kareena Marshall, Nikki Kidd and Leigh Fawcett and aspiring young
talent in the shape of Amy Brodie, Susan McGilveray and Nikki
Lloyd.

Nonetheless, Shepherd has had a good record with his charges;
after promotion to Europe`s first division in 2004, Scotland came
fourth twice in 2006 and again in 2008, but were unfortunately
relegated two years ago.   Consequently, the Scots are
seeded to top their pool and to gain an immediate return to the top
flight, if they can finish in the top two of the subsequent
promotion pool.

“I know nothing of the opposition in our group, as it`s been
years since we played any of these teams, but we will prepare
thoroughly for each game, and take it a game at a time,” Shepherd
said.

“We have a very fit and fast squad, so fitness won`t be an
issue, but we also have a good short corner routine as well as the
ability to score from open play.”

The lack of match practice could be an issue, as the squad`s
only competitive outing was at the Grove Menzieshill tournament at
the end of last year.  There the Scots won all their pool
matches, including seeing off the United States (3-2) and Wales
(5-0), but lost the final to Scottish club champions VWS Dundee
Wanderers on a penalty shoot-out after a 4-4 draw in normal
time.

“We learned the areas we still need to work on from the
Menzieshill tournament, we dominated every game we played in and
created plenty of open play chances but didn`t take them,” Shepherd
remarked.

Scotland open their campaign on Friday with fixtures against
Denmark and Switzerland; Shepherd will only be satisfied with six
points.

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