There was little to cheer about as Scotland prepared for friendlies against Australia and Costa Rica in April.
Defeat by the Republic of Ireland in October last year had seen them fail to qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. It was a bitter blow given they had also missed out on competing at Euro 2022.
There seemed to be dwindling optimism around a squad who were under-performing and in conflict with the Scottish FA over equal pay and treatment.
Enter 17-year-old Emma Watson. There had been some talk about this young midfielder who was running games for Rangers in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, but few had expected to see her named in the senior Scotland squad.