Latest news with #LeeGibson
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Same old story for Scotland, laments 'frustrated' Gibson
"You don't ever want to keep coming out and saying, we've done really well, we've tried hard, but we're fallen short again."That's just the reality of where we're at, at the moment."For someone who made save after save on Friday night, Lee Gibson pulled no punches in the post-match press Scotland shotstopper kept her country in their penultimate Nations League A match against Austria, but she was left helpless when a front-post flick from Julia Hickelsberger broke the sole goal, in Melissa Andreatta's first game in the Scotland dugout, confirmed relegation to League B, was an all too familiar story for the Scots who suffered a six successive defeat, and Gibson has grown tired of the tale."It's took us 60 minutes to actually properly open up Austria, that's the disappointing thing." the Glasgow City goalkeeper said."You just want that to happen a little bit earlier. That's up to us as players to recognise that and change things in the game, but it was too little, too late unfortunately."That's probably the same thing that we've been saying over the last year or so in these games when we play against top opponents, that we've not been able to be consistent enough. "It's frustrating. You don't ever want to keep coming out and saying, we've done really well, we've tried hard, but we're fallen short again."That's just the reality of where we're at, at the moment. "I think other teams have improved and they've raised their levels. We maybe haven't made those strides forward that we wanted to or we feel we deserve."But as players and coaching staff and everybody behind the scenes, it's up to us to be able to try and change that. "That's hopefully something that under Mel we can take strides in doing."
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What did we learn from Andreatta's first game as Scotland head coach?
"I think I have a good baseline now to understand where we're at."The first words Melissa Andreatta uttered in the aftermath of her Scotland debut, which not only ended in defeat, but with relegation to Nations League asked whether that baseline was higher or lower than she expected, the Australian replied: "I'm not sure, if I'm honest."In the first half, it had to be Scots were second best to Austria, who left Hampden with all three deserved points thanks to Julia Hickelsberger's front-post flick just after the hour until that point, and for 10 minutes after, Manuela Zinsberger in the Austria goal was merely a spectator, sunbathing in the Hampden glow.A flurry a changes brought about some fight and finesse, but as Scotland shot-stopper and player of the match Lee Gibson said post-match it was, again, "too little, too late".This was never going to be a quick fix, an overnight job, an immediate turnaround. This transition will take what can we take from Andreatta's first game in charge? Scotland's scars run deep Andreatta's introduction has somewhat masked a grim few months for the Scots. Since their Euro 2025 play-off heartbreak in Helsinki last year, they half lost their first four games of the current year, conceding 13 goals in the process. Six of those in Wolfsburg against Germany. Five in a 15-minute former Matildas assistant was announced the morning after the scudding and since then, alongside captain Rachel Corsie's impending retirement, has dominated the the fallout from that night at the Volkswagen Arena was tame, the impact it has on the group was were heavy. Passes were poor. The opposition box was treated as a pool of lava. There was no flow, only Scotland midfielder Leanne Crichton described their play as "fragmented", while Andreatta said there was "a bit of a hangover" from their previous four pointless Group A1 now seven games without a win, with one final trip to the 10th-ranked team in the world - the Netherlands - to come on Tuesday before a four-month a long old summer to mull over, potentially, eight games and 11 months without a win, but the head coach insists the "belief" is there."When you're coming off the run that they've had, confidence often comes with results, but the belief is still there and it's just going to be a lot of hard work," she said. The kids are alright On a night where so much spotlight was directed to departing, veteran defender Rachel Corsie, the next generation stood 35-year-old was the first of five second-half substitutions, and while the wise old head stabilised a rocky ship, the young ones who followed drove it Mia McAulay - who opened the scoring at Hampden in Sunday's Scottish Cup final - injected the width, creativity and spark the Scots were came on alongside Martha Thomas, who replaced a second debutant in Hibernian's Kathleen McGovern, who Andreatta said "held her own".The 22-year-old, who enjoyed an incredible personal season with the SWPL champions, did a power of running on her first appearance where she was starved of service, while Emma Watson, 19, came off the bench to offer authority and calmness."Being so young, that's the promising and positive thing - their willingness to take on the information and execute their player tasks for the team," the head coach added. "I think based on what I saw, there's a lot to look forward to." Andreatta is all in When Andreatta said that there was plenty to look forward to, she did so with a genuine smile spread across her the four weeks she's been on these shores, she's immersed herself in the culture, cuisine and her Australian took in her fair share of SWPL games as the season drew to a close, while she also had a keen eye on last week's Scottish Cup final. In between times, the occasional Irn-Bru and Cullen skink have been these things may seem, it's a commitment and care for the country, and role, that hasn't always been 46-year-old knew she was taking on a sizeable task but she's keen to show she hasn't bitten off more than one can asked what she learned from her first outing in the hot seat, she said: "I've learnt that I really believe in this group and what it's going to take to help this team realise their potential and go to another level. "I think that's the key thing, that belief isn't down or shaken by the result at all."I'm even more passionate about supporting this team to realise their goals."
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland suffer loss and relegation in Melissa Andreatta's first match
However, her girls lost their sixth consecutive match narrowly and will now drop down a division as a result. Qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027 will be her ultimate objective in her new role. It was evident from a display which was high on endeavour that it is far from an unrealistic goal. There is, however, clearly much work ahead of her if she is to end this disappointing run of form and make her team a force to be reckoned with on the international stage once again. Andreatta was positivity personified when she spoke to the media at her pre-match press conference yesterday afternoon. Several days of training with her new charges at Oriam just outside Edinburgh had clearly filled her with great optimism for the future. 'I only see opportunity on Friday night,' she said. 'Yes, there's going to be tough times and there's a lot of progress to be made, but we believe we have what it takes to get the win and we're going to fight. 'We want to make sure those points don't leave Hampden Park. What I've learnt about this group is that previous results haven't affected their belief.' It was, however, difficult to see why she was so upbeat once this encounter got underway. The visitors quickly assumed control and applied sustained pressure to their hosts goal. They were unfortunate not to convert one of the scoring opportunities they carved out. Only profligate Austrian finishing and outstanding goalkeeping from Lee Gibson kept the scoreline goalless. The Glasgow City player tipped an Annabel Schasching which found her six yard box over the crossbar. She then palmed a ferocious Verena Hanshaw attempt past her right post with an instinctive reaction save. Scotland, to their credit, responded to those scares by making their way up the other end of the park and carving out a chance of their own. Caroline Weir supplied Erin Cuthbert on the edge of the area. Her team mate, though, snatched at her shot and failed to find her intended target. That, however, was a rare foray into the opposition half by Weir and her countrywomen during the opening 45 minutes. Their rivals dominated possession and bossed the middle of the park. Only the woodwork prevented them from edging ahead before half-time. Gibson, who had just denied Austria captain Sarah Puntigam with her outstretched left leg, was unable to get a hand to a Julia Hickelsberger chip and was relieved first when it hit the bar and then when her right back Emma Lawton headed the ball to safety. But Scotland were living dangerously. Kathleen McGovern, who was on target 25 times for Hibernian in 2024/25 campaign as the capital club pipped defending champions Rangers to the Premier League, was handed her Scotland debut. The 22-year-old, however, received little decent service and was unable to inflict any damage in the final third. Andreatta showed that she will pick players on form not reputation with her team selection. There was no place in the starting line-up for the returning Rachel Corsie even though her captain had announced this week that the Austria game would be last at Hampden and the meeting with the Netherlands her last in a dark blue jersey. But Jenna Clark of Liverpool was preferred to the Aston Villa centre-half. The 35-year-old has admittedly just come back after an extended period on the sidelines. So she probably only had a half of football in her legs. Still, Corsie being left on the bench underlined the new woman at the helm will have no room for sentiment. The 35-year-old came on to win her 155th cap and probably penultimate at the start of the second-half and showed no signs of her lengthy lay-off. She was, though, unable to prevent Hickelsberger glancing a header beyond Gibson and into the net at a Schasching corner and giving Austria the lead. Andreatta threw on Amy Rodgers for Watson, Martha Thomas for McGovern shortly after the forward had forced a save from Manuela Zinsberger, Kirsty Howat for Freya Gregory and Mia McAuley for Lauren Davidson. The Rangers teenager picked up her first cap. Many, many more are sure to follow for the prodigiously talented winger in the years to come. Howat had a chance to net and equaliser shortly after taking to field with nine minutes of regulation time remaining when Martha Thomas teed here up. She was, to the dismay of the 4,063-strong crowd, unable to get a shot away. But she atoned soon afterwards when she forced Zinsberger to tip her long-range effort onto the bar. The strong finish will have heartened Andreatta. But the Netherlands will present a far stiffer challenge in Tilburg on Tuesday. There will need to be a stark improvement to finish this campaign on a positive note. Corsie received a warm ovation from the fans following the final whistle. It was a shame that such a fine servant had to bow out in such disappointing fashion.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We're going to do everything' - Gibson on 'crazy' SWPL title race
Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Gibson believes her side's experience in tight title races can help them triumph in a "crazy" SWPL season, with a vital match against league leaders Hibs looming on Sunday. Hibs are three points ahead of City in second with three matches of the season remaining. Given City's superior goal difference, a win for Leanne Ross' side this weekend could prove crucial as they try to win their 17th SWPL crown. City seized the title with a stoppage-time strike on the final day of the 2022-23 season before Celtic pipped Rangers to glory in similar circumstances last term. Gibson is not underestimating the task at hand, but insists City will "do everything" to make sure the trophy ends up in their hands. "Every game when it comes to the split is massive and Sunday is a big one," Gibson said. "It's away from home, against a team that's been flying high all season. Hibs have been league leaders for a long time this season so we respect what they've done. "We're fortunate that we've had experience over the years, we've seen it come down to the final day in the last two seasons so we're going to do everything we can to make sure the title is ours. "In my time there was a big rivalry between City and Hibs and the split is crazy and Rangers are still in it as well. As Glasgow City we need to make sure we come out on top."
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We're going to do everything' - Gibson on 'crazy' SWPL title race
Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Gibson believes her side's experience in tight title races can help them triumph in a "crazy" SWPL season, with a vital match against league leaders Hibs looming on are three points ahead of City in second with three matches of the season City's superior goal difference, a win for Leanne Ross' side this weekend could prove crucial as they try to win their 17th SWPL seized the title with a stoppage-time strike on the final day of the 2022-23 season before Celtic pipped Rangers to glory in similar circumstances last term. Gibson is not underestimating the task at hand, but insists City will "do everything" to make sure the trophy ends up in their hands."Every game when it comes to the split is massive and Sunday is a big one," Gibson said."It's away from home, against a team that's been flying high all season. Hibs have been league leaders for a long time this season so we respect what they've done."We're fortunate that we've had experience over the years, we've seen it come down to the final day in the last two seasons so we're going to do everything we can to make sure the title is ours."In my time there was a big rivalry between City and Hibs and the split is crazy and Rangers are still in it as well. As Glasgow City we need to make sure we come out on top."
