Shepherd blends youth with experience in Celtic Cup squad selection


Scotland Women continue their preparations for the FIH World League
I and Champions Challenge competitions later this summer with the
Celtic Cup in Lisburn, Northern Ireland from 28-30 June.

Gordon Shepherd’s squad mixes experience with a number of promising
young players, who have the opportunity to stake their claim for
places in the senior squad following encouraging displays against
South Africa at Clydesdale earlier this month.

Nicola Skrastin, Ali Howie and Sarah Robertson all step up from the
U21 squad, whilst Susan McGilveray, Aileen Davies, and Nicki Lloyd
are provided with their chance to start building upon the number of
international appearances for their country.

Head Coach Shepherd was praiseworthy of the younger players who
have seamlessly made the transition to the senior set-up:

“I was delighted with the all the players’ performances against
South Africa, but to see the younger, less experienced players step
up and compete physically with a team preparing for the London
Olympics next month was fantastic. They coped with the pace and
speed of the games and were not fazed at all”.

The Scots will be out to defend the trophy, having won the Celtic
Cup for a remarkable fifth season in succession at Inverclyde last
year, but preparations for the World League I are at the forefront
of his thoughts:

“I’m keen to offer the opportunity to the younger players to gain
experience at international level and the Celtic Cup offers an
ideal platform. However, there are still other players who are in
contention for the World League in August and they will be under
consideration in the training sessions we have before announce our
selection for the competition. We have a couple of injuries as
well, so the squad is by no means completely settled at this stage.
We will set out to win the Celtic Cup but performances are what I’m
focussing on primarily”, said Shepherd.

Glasgow outfit Milne Craig Clydesdale Western provide seven of the
eighteen player squad, including Women’s Player of the Year
Catriona Ralph. Grove Menzieshill’s Ailsa Wyllie will edge closer
to becoming the fifth international centurion in the squad, with
the opportunity to add to her 90 caps for Scotland, whilst Nikki
Kidd and Ali Bell will also add to their significant caps
haul.

Great Britain players Laura Bartlett, Emily Maguire, Abi Walker and
Vikki Bunce are all unavailable for selection.

Scotland Women: Amy Gibson, Holly Cram, Catriona Ralph, Nicola
Skrastin, Susan McGilveray, Ali Howie, Morag McLellan (all Milne
Craig Clydesdale Western), Ali Bell, Linda Clement, Ailsa Wyllie
(all Grove Menzieshill), Becky Ward (VWS Dundee Wanderers), Sam
Judge, Sarah Robertson (both Edinburgh University), Kareena
Marshall (Giffnock), Becky Merchant (Surbiton), Nikki Kidd
(Mannheimer), Aileen Davies (Clifton HC), Nicki Lloyd (Seven Oaks
HC).

Scotland Women continue their preparations for the FIH
World League I and Champions Challenge competitions later this
summer with the Celtic Cup in Lisburn, Northern Ireland from 28-30
June.

Gordon Shepherd’s squad selection mixes experience with a number
of promising young players, who have the opportunity to stake their
claim for places in the senior squad following encouraging displays
against South Africa at Clydesdale earlier this month.

Nicola Skrastin, Ali Howie and Sarah Robertson all step up from
the U21 squad, whilst Susan McGilveray, Aileen Davies, and Nicki
Lloyd are provided with their chance to start building upon the
number of international appearances for their country.

Head Coach Shepherd was praiseworthy of the younger players who
have seamlessly made the transition to the senior set-up:

“I was delighted with the all the players’ performances against
South Africa, but to see the younger, less experienced players step
up and compete physically with a team preparing for the London
Olympics next month was fantastic. They coped with the pace and
speed of the games and were not fazed at all”.

The Scots will be out to defend the trophy, having won the
Celtic Cup for a remarkable fifth season in succession at
Inverclyde last year, but preparations for the World League I are
at the forefront of Shepherd’s thoughts:

“I’m keen to offer the opportunity to the younger players to
gain experience at international level and the Celtic Cup offers an
ideal platform. However, there are still other players who are in
contention for the World League in August and they will be under
consideration in the training sessions we have before we announce
our selection for the competition.

“We have a couple of injuries as well, so the squad is by no
means completely settled at this stage. We will set out to win the
Celtic Cup but performances are what I’m focussing on primarily”,
said Shepherd.

Glasgow outfit Milne Craig Clydesdale Western provide seven of
the eighteen player squad, including Women’s Player of the Year
Catriona Ralph. Grove Menzieshill’s Ailsa Wyllie will edge closer
to becoming the fifth international centurion in the squad, with
the opportunity to add to her 90 caps for Scotland, whilst Nikki
Kidd and Ali Bell will also add to their significant caps haul.

Great Britain players Laura Bartlett, Emily Maguire, Abi Walker
and Vikki Bunce are all unavailable for selection.

Scotland Women: Amy Gibson, Holly Cram,
Catriona Ralph, Nicola Skrastin, Susan McGilveray, Ali Howie, Morag
McLellan (all Milne Craig Clydesdale Western), Ali Bell, Linda
Clement, Ailsa Wyllie (all Grove Menzieshill), Becky Ward (VWS
Dundee Wanderers), Sam Judge, Sarah Robertson (both Edinburgh
University), Kareena Marshall (Giffnock), Becky Merchant
(Surbiton), Nikki Kidd (Mannheimer), Aileen Davies (Clifton HC),
Nicki Lloyd (Seven Oaks HC).

Celtic Cup
29th June 18.30 Scotland
vs Ireland Lisnagarvey HC, Lisburn,
N.Ireland
30th June 13.00 Scotland
vs. Wales Lisnagarvey HC, Lisburn,
N.Ireland

 

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