Scotland manager Pedro Martinez Losa remained upbeat despite a frustrating Pinatar Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Finland with the Spaniard insisting that his side have a squad ready for the European Championships campaign which kicks off in April.

Scotland have failed to build on the progress made by the qualification for the 2019 FIFA World Cup with Euro ’22 and last summer’s World Cup passing them by after insipid qualification campaigns. The Nations League performances did not offer much in the way of encouragement with Scotland failing to win a game.

There were snippets of positivity in the two games played in Spain at the invitational tournament but most observers would struggle to assess where the squad is now and end with a favourable conclusion about qualification for the 2025 European Championships.

It seemed indicative of the lack of belief within the squad that they scorned the chance to close the shoot-out with a win, despite edging their noses in front. Martha Thomas had levelled the scores in regulation time following Oona Sevenius’ first-half header before the penalties but with Sandy MacIver saving Heidi Kollanen's effort with Scotland 4-3 up, they could and should have claimed the victory.

Instead, Erin Cuthbert’s effort was parried before Nicola Docherty’s effort was also saved to end the camp on a frustrating note.

“We do not win or lose as individuals but as a collective,” said Martinez Losa. “We do not want one or two players feeling frustrated or disappointed because they did not score in the penalty shoot-out.

“This is part of football, it happens. In anyone’s professional career there are moments where this can happen and you would have to say that conditions were very difficult again.

“We had actually practised penalties this week but this can happen. 

“We maybe didn’t get the reward in terms of the goals but there are improvements there.

“I definitely feel that we are ready for the European Championships campaign. We have grown as a group across the last few months and this camp has been good to bring some positive energy back.”

The Spaniard signed a long-term deal with the national team at the end of September last year, an extension that came on the back of the failure to qualify for the World Cup in Australia after a play-off defeat to the Republic of Ireland.  

As the team now look to regroup and head into the April European Championships qualifiers there is a very definite sense that the issues that were problematic across those campaigns remain.

Thomas’ goals will feel like a positive – her third in as many games after she has failed to score for the last seven months – but there remains a lack of menace from Scotland in the final third. 

“We will reflect on the game and this week but it has been positive for us to be together and to get back a sense of confidence in one another,” said Martinez Losa.

“We know the areas that we wish to improve upon and I think that you can see the work that has been going on. There is still a lot for us to do but we are excited about the draw and we believe we are capable of competing.”

He also attributed the loss of ley players Caroline Weir and Emma Watson as significant for Scotland, insisting that their return will be eagerly anticipated. Both could potentially be back fit in time for any play-off games that Scotland may be in a position to secure.

“I know that I keep saying it but any team would miss players of the quality of Caroline and Emma.

“We have been able to bring in other players and we are pleased with their progression but when these two are available again, hopefully for the latter stages of the European qualifiers, then it will feel like a gift for us.

“But as a team I think we are in a good place ahead of the new campaign getting underway. We have had a positive camp and we have been able to talk and reflect on the Nations League campaign and how tough that was and the lessons that were there for us to take on board.”