Scotland name new captain as 30y/o midfielder left 'delighted and honoured'

The Real Madrid midfielder has been leading out her country since previous skipper Rachel Corsie retired last summer with "chronic knee pain". Weir, who missed Scotland's 3-2 friendly win against China in December, will now wear the armband on a permanent basis alongside vice-captain Erin Cuthbert.

Scotland play away in Luxembourg on March 3 before the return fixture four days later as they begin their bid to qualify for Brazil 2027.

"I'm honoured and delighted to be named captain of the Scotland Women's National Team," said 30-year-old Weir, who has been capped 115 times. "It's such a proud moment for me and my family.

"Every opportunity to represent Scotland is a privilege and to do so as captain is even more special and a responsibility that I'm excited to embrace.

"I'm fortunate to be surrounded by so many natural leaders within this squad and to have learned from those who have gone before me.

"It's an exciting time for us as we start the qualification journey to Brazil 2027, with a passionate, hard-working and talented group of players."

Head coach Melissa Andreatta added: "It's almost a year since I've been in the job and we're getting to know each other - this team and who they want to be.

"So I wanted to take that time about who best represents all those things about this team and through all those moments together, camps together, time together, the decision was made that Caz would best represent the team as captain and be more than ably supported by Erin as vice-captain."

Andreatta has named a 23-player squad for the games, with Martha Thomas, who is on loan at Liverpool from Tottenham, missing out despite scoring in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa.

Hibs forward Kathleen McGovern returning following injury, while Celtic's Maria McAneny keeps her spot after scoring on her senior debut against Ukraine in November.

Rangers' Leah Eddie also misses out, and is replaced by uncapped Charlton defender Charlotte Newsham.

Scotland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).

Defenders: Georgia Brown (SC Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Sophie Howard (FC Como), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Charlotte Newsham (Charlton).

Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Birmingham City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Kirsty Maclean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Lauren Davidson (SK Brann), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian).