Celtic midfielder Maria McAneny has received her first senior call-up to the Scotland women’s national team, ahead of upcoming friendly matches against Ukraine and China. The 21-year-old, who previously featured for the Scotland Under-23 squad, has been rewarded for her consistent performances in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
McAneny recently scored in Celtic’s weekend victory over Partick Thistle, further cementing her credentials as one of the nation’s rising talents. Her inclusion comes under the management of Melissa Andreatta, who is preparing the squad for back-to-back international friendlies in Jerez, Spain.
“It’s a huge honour to be called up for the senior team. I’m looking forward to learning from my teammates and contributing wherever I can,” McAneny said.
Scotland’s Upcoming Friendlies
Scotland will face Ukraine at the Estadio Municipal de Chapin on Friday, 29 November (11:00 GMT), followed by a clash with China at the same venue on 2 December (18:00 GMT).
These fixtures come after Scotland’s recent results, which included a home defeat to Switzerland and an away victory over Morocco. Both matches were friendlies, offering the squad valuable preparation ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, where Scotland will face Belgium, Israel, and Luxembourg.
Full Scotland Squad for Ukraine and China
The squad combines experience and emerging talent, featuring goalkeepers Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), and Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit). Defenders include Georgia Brown (Sporting Club Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (Como), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton & Hove Albion), and Amy Muir (Glasgow City).
The midfield boasts stars like Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Sam Kerr (Liverpool), Kirsty MacLean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), and Caroline Weir (Real Madrid). The forward line includes Lauren Davidson (Brann), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian), and Martha Thomas (Tottenham Hotspur).
McAneny’s Road to the Senior Squad
The 21-year-old’s call-up reflects her steady rise through the national team ranks. After representing Scotland at U-23 level, her breakthrough into Celtic’s first team and standout performances in the SWPL have made her one of the most promising talents in Scottish football.
“Being selected for the senior squad is a dream come true. I’m eager to make an impact and show that I belong at this level,” McAneny added.
With her inclusion, Scotland continues to blend youth and experience, aiming to strengthen their squad ahead of competitive fixtures and maintain momentum in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
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