Euro 2025 play-offs: Scotland’s golden generation miss their golden hour

The word ‘deserved’ is often used by this group.

They deserved to be at the World Cup. They deserved to be in Nations League A. They deserved to be at the Euros.

No team, certainly not one who has now missed three tournaments in a row, has that right to take a seat at the top table. It must be earned.

While Erin Cuthbert missed a gawping goal and Sam Kerr scudded an upright, there wasn’t much more on offer from the Scots in Helsinki.

Not enough to take them past a Finland team who have reached five of the last six Euros. But still, this group remain defiant.

“We said we owed it to ourselves to play with bravery and have no regrets and I don’t think we have any regrets,” Leicester City defender Howard said.

“We took risks and played with confidence. I think the one thing to say from tonight is that we stepped onto the pitch with bravery and have no regrets.”

Perhaps that is an indictment of where this squad actually are, compared to where they should be.

In the first leg they were flat, flimsy and saved by a terrific Eartha Cumings save.

They travelled to Helsinki with hopes alive but hardly kicking. By eight minutes in, they were behind and floundering.

At 2-0 down, left-back Nicola Docherty tried to rally the troops. Troops who play for football giants such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

On paper, the talent is top drawer. On the pitch, it’s a bit sketchy, and has been for too long.

The disappointment is devastating, but Howard insists this group will go again.

“It’s a choice and we’ll make the choice to pick one another up,” she added. “Football is cruel sometimes and tonight it just didn’t work for us, but we will make the choice to go again.”

Howard is 31 – she was 23 at her only European Championships appearance. Weir was 22, and is now 29. Cuthbert was a teenager who is now 26.

Much has been made of this golden generation. Now there is a worry they’ve missed their golden hour.