The friendly against the Netherlands is less about the result but far more about the lessons learnt from the game against a side ranked 12 in the world – nine above Scotland.

Scotland's head coach Anna Signeul has stated that the aim at the Euros is to reach the quarter-finals. This is achievable, but first, they will have to navigate three tricky group games – with a possible game against the Netherlands (who are in Pot A) or England.

Dutch tournament experience

The Euros will be the Netherlands' fourth tournament (although they did qualify for the 2017 Euros as hosts) with their best ever finish coming in the 2009 tournament when they finished third – losing out to England in the semi-finals. Their second tournament was the 2013 Euros, but they were knocked out in the group stage – despite drawing against Germany. The Netherlands qualified for the 2015 FIFA World Cup where they reached the Round of 16 – beating Scotland in the Qualifying Play-offs.

The Dutch squad have tournament experience. Scotland don't.

Head-to-head

In recent times, Scotland has actually had a good record against them. Between 2012 and 2015, the two countries met over four successive Cyprus Cup which Scotland winning each time.

However, when Scotland played the Netherlands in the Play-offs for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, it was the Dutch who were victorious, winning 4-1 over the two legs.

The Hibernian players in the Scottish team, as well as her Bayern Munich team-mate Lisa Evans, will know Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema far too well. In the Champions League, she tormented Hibs across both legs. Miedema came to international attention when she finished top scorer in the Dutch's successful 2014 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship – and played against a Scotland side that won their first ever game at that tournament.

Chance to experiment

These friendlies that Scotland will arrange over the next six months will give Anna Signeul a chance to look at players – Erin Cuthbert, Rachel McLauchlan and Abi Harrison being examples of players who may get a start. But it also a chance to work on tactics towards the tournament.

There are talented players who Signeul has looked at over the past couple of years who haven't had their chance on the pitch, and this would be a perfect chance to give them a try-out. But you have to balance experimentation and planning. There is no point in trying things out if they won't be used in the Euros. Everything has to be directed towards that game.

It is vital that lessons are learnt before the Euros. An example of this was the difference between the two games against Iceland. In the home game, Scotland was more attacking and played in the style of other qualifiers. In Iceland, Scotland played a 4-4-1-1 formation, corrected their mistakes and produced a great performance to win 2-1.

Whatever the result was, it is the first step on the route to the Euros.

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About the author
Tim Oliver
Founder of Tartan Kicks, the magazine dedicated to Scottish Women's Football. I cover women's football in Scotland, mainly focusing on the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL).