Weir wants to make up for lost time as Scotland start play-off campaign

Caroline Weir is determined to help Scotland qualify for next summer’s European Championship after missing out on more than a year of international action with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Real Madrid midfielder’s return gives Pedro Martinez Losa’s side a welcome boost ahead of facing Hungary in the first of two potential play-off rounds to determine which teams claim the final seven spots at next year’s finals in Switzerland.

Holders England have already qualified but Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland all begin their two-legged round one play-off quests on Friday night.

Weir, who last featured for Scotland in September 2023, told the Scottish FA’s social media: “It feels amazing to be back. I’ve been looking forward to this for the last couple of weeks. I had my eye on these fixtures way back when I first got injured.

“To represent Scotland, that is the highlight for me, so to miss out on a year of Scotland games was really tough, but the team has really grown in that time.

“I can see that, I was watching the games and I feel like coming into this camp they’re massive games, but I feel like we’re ready for them.”

Scotland, 23rd in FIFA’s rankings, first travel to 46th-ranked Hungary before hosting the return leg at Easter Road.

Northern Ireland, one place above Hungary, are away at 57th-ranked Croatia to begin their play-off campaign as they look to qualify from a second straight play-offs after debuting in the Euros two years ago.

Boss Tanya Oxtoby told the PA news agency: “I remember when we first started on this journey together, qualifying for the Euros was the prize, and I feel like we’re at the pointy end of that now.

“We’re fully prepared, we’re ready to go, and it’s going to be a great challenge for us, because if you look at the placings between us, there’s not a lot.

“So it’s going to be a great double-header. We’re really excited to get back together.”

Wales play the first leg of their Euro 2025 play-off semi-final in Slovakia on Friday before hosting the return leg in Cardiff four days later.

Boss Rhian Wilkinson took charge in February and is unbeaten in her six games at the helm, but will be coping without Chelsea midfielder and former captain Sophie Ingle, who is unavailable after sustaining an ACL injury.

Wales have painful play-off memories after Switzerland ended their hopes of a first major tournament appearance at the 2023 World Cup by scoring a dramatic winner in the dying seconds of extra time.

Wilkinson said: “As soon as you say ‘play-off’ a lot of the team bring plenty of baggage with them.

“We just have to look at it as the next game. That’s what I’m doing and what all my staff will do.

“We know that if we take care of what we can control then I’m pretty confident the results will follow.”

The Republic of Ireland, who made their World Cup debut last summer, play Georgia in Tbilisi on Friday night before hosting them at Tallaght Stadium for the return leg on Tuesday.

Eileen Gleeson’s side are ranked 94 places above their opponents.