As Scotland Women’s Under-19s prepare to begin their Round One UEFA European Qualifying campaign, defender Ella West reflects on her journey, the growth of the squad, and the excitement of representing her country on home soil.

Ella, we kick off this year’s qualifiers against Norway, the Netherlands and Croatia, how are you feeling ahead of camp?

I'm really looking forward to it. We've got a good group of girls that will do anything for this team. Hopefully we can go out and put in some good performances. Ultimately, we want to qualify for Round Two and put us in a good position to qualify for the finals next summer. In terms of opposition, we want to play against the best, so it's a good challenge for us and we're getting a lot of experience after each game. It also builds us as characters as well.

How much do you think this group has evolved in the last year?

I think the group's evolved massively. We’re bringing a lot more players in, and I think the performances that we're putting in is getting us nearer to where we want to be. The other great thing is that each of the girls in the squad have a part to play. Bringing all of those different experiences into camp helps us evolve as a group and helps us to perform to our potential. The experiences that each of us get from the camp, no matter if you're on the bench or on the pitch, is priceless because everyone has a role to play.

Let’s reflect on your Scotland journey so far, take us back to that initial call-up:

My initial call-up was for the Under-17’s squad in a training camp, then last year, I got called up for the Under-19’s Round One qualifiers. I’d been playing for Sunderland in the Championship and made a few appearances in the cup. When I got my first call-up, I was absolutely buzzing. We managed to qualify for Round Two and maintain League A status and it was massive for me. In the space of a month, I'd gone from playing under-21’s football to playing in the first team with regular minutes at club and then getting the Scotland Under-19’s call-up. It was just such a surreal feeling.

Tell us about that first start for the Under-19s:

It happened last year against the Netherlands, and it was quite nerve-wracking. I really wasn’t expecting it as I was just happy to be in and around the team. But as soon as Michael McArdle told me, I was absolutely buzzing. Even though it was nerve-wracking, as soon as I got out on the pitch, I just wanted to express myself. I just wanted to show everyone what I was capable of. It was just an amazing feeling that all of the girls had my back. They allowed me to perform at my best and I’ll be forever grateful for that.

How was that moment for your family?

My Dad is from Inverness, so representing Scotland means so much. My Dad and Grandad come to all my games and travel across the world for me. To be able to have them with me when I'm representing our country, it just means everything and they're so proud of me.

How much more special will these three games be because they’re at home?

Home camps are always the best camps, because everyone's family can come and support us so it's amazing to get that backing. Everyone wants to perform at their best in front of the home fans and their families. It’s an amazing experience and there’s no better feeling than playing in Scotland.

For the Scotland fans that haven’t seen you play yet, how would you describe yourself as a player?

I'm quite an aggressive player and I like a good tackle but I'm quite calm and collected. I like to try and lead the team. I like to drive and motivate so we can do the best we can on the pitch. Off the pitch I like to try and be a role model for the younger ones that are coming up. I try to help them in anyway with the experiences I’ve had and I can learn off them as well.

What was it like wearing the captain’s armband in the last camp against Slovakia?

It was amazing. It's one thing to represent your country, but to captain the team is another thing. I'm so grateful I got the opportunity because it was such a proud moment to lead the team out. It’s something that you dream of. I always strive to get the best out of myself, but being captain allows you to be the best for your team and even though I wore the armband, I'm definitely not the only leader in the team. We have so many fantastic players that lead in every game for us.

Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for the future?

As a young girl, I always wanted to play for Scotland. I always wanted to make it all the way through the ranks. The aim now for me is to just keep progressing as a player, as a person, and hopefully one day I can get that call up to the ‘A’ squad. You see players like Mia McAulay, Mia in my first camp and she’s made the step up to the senior team. She’s gone and proven herself and it gives you that belief that as long as you work hard, you can make it. The fact that there's so many youth players coming through is such a positive and it gives all of us the belief that we can be next. We want to be the best, and we want to make it up there one day.

Scotland Women's Under-19s fixtures:

Scotland v Norway

Wednesday, 26 November KO 3.30pm

Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

Scotland v Netherlands

Saturday, 29 November KO 3.30pm

Kirkintilloch Sports Complex

Scotland v Croatia

Tuesday, 2 December KO 3pm

Kirkintilloch Sports Complex

How to watch:

On Scotland National Team YouTube channel | Entry to all games is free

Scotland Women's Under-19s Squad:

Abigail Tobin                    Aberdeen

Sienna McGoldrick       Celtic

Cara Gray                        Glasgow City (on loan to Kilmarnock)

Sophia Martin                 Glasgow City (on loan to Montrose)

Erin Husband                  Heart of Midlothian

Jess Husband                 Heart of Midlothian

Emma Thomson            Heart of Midlothian

Olivia Chomczuk           Heart of Midlothian (on loan to Montrose)

Ashley Robertson          Heart of Midlothian (on loan to Montrose)

Kate Fraser                      Heart of Midlothian (on loan to Partick Thistle)

Isobel Young                   Heart of Midlothian (on loan to Spartans)

Lucie Burns                     Kilmarnock

Neve McDonald             Liverpool

Amelia Oldroyd              Manchester City

Laura Berry                      Rangers

Sophie Townsley           Rangers (on loan to Hamilton Academical)

Lily Boyce                        Rangers (on loan to Motherwell)

Sophie Black                  Rangers (on loan to Motherwell)

Ella West                          Sunderland

Braelynn Galt                  Tampa Bay Sun