Beattie backing Scotland to snare finals berth

Three years on from their heartbreaking away-goals loss to Russia in the UEFA Women's EURO 2009 play-offs, Scotland begin a new bid to reach their first final tournament in Israel on Wednesday. According to Jennifer Beattie, there is a fierce determination not to miss out this time around.

Having lost 3-2 at home to Russia in a pulsating first leg, Scotland travelled to Nalchik and, with five minutes left, Beattie – who had made her debut aged 16 earlier that year – put the visitors 2-1 up. However, a desperate last push did not yield the third goal they needed, and Beattie told UEFA.com: "Any of the girls that have that memory don't want that to happen again. We want to go all the way and qualify."

Scotland went on to push Denmark close in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying, and now find themselves in a UEFA Women's EURO 2013 section including top seeds France and familiar opponents the Republic of Ireland and Wales. Although Scotland are starting their qualifying bid several weeks after most teams, they have been far from idle and followed up August defeats of Switzerland and Belgium with a 1-0 loss in Finland last month and a 7-2 home win against the same opponents three days later, Beattie striking twice.

Now Israel await and Beattie – a versatile defender increasingly used as a forward by both Scotland and Arsenal LFC – said: "The squad's looking good. We trained really well and we're looking forward to the trip."

For Scotland to be serious contenders to qualify shows the distance they have travelled since Dutchwoman Vera Pauw was appointed in 1998 – they were not even playing in the top category of the old two-tier system at the time. Further progress has been made since Anna Signeul took over in 2005, the former Sweden Under-21 coach able to bring through an impressive crop of youth talent including Beattie, an U19 international from the age of 14.

"In last five or ten years, Scotland have progressed massively and that is credit to Anna Signeul; she's done really well with us as a squad," Beattie said. "Training's been so much better, [as have] the programmes for the youngsters coming through and even the national academy that's been set up. That's just a massive credit to the [Scottish Football Association] for what they've done with us."