STUART McLAREN stressed the importance of Scotland finishing their unsuccessful Euro 2022 qualifying campaign on a high.

McLaren was announced as the interim head coach in January following the departure of Shelley Kerr and will take charge of the final qualifiers against Cyprus in Larnaca tomorrow and Portugal, also in Larnaca, next Tuesday.

The Scots are already out following a double-header defeat at the end of last year to Portugal and Finland.

Finland and Portugal top the group with 16 points from six games, with Scotland on nine points, and McLaren insists the focus is on concluding the campaign on a positive note.

He told scottishfa.co.uk: “It’s essential we do that.

“At international football all the players are technically, tactically and physically prepared so the biggest difference you can make is in your mentality.

“It goes without saying you’ll always do better at something when you’re enjoying it.

“It’s a credit to the players that they realise these two games represent the start of the next stage, and they’re determined that it starts against Cyprus.

“I’ve been impressed with their application and attitude.

“They’ve wanted to work hard in training and they’ve taken on the ideas put forward to them.

“They’ve been responsive in asking questions and providing feedback on performances.

“We’re impressed with the level of quality, as I knew I would be.

“Hopefully that will translate to when we take to the field for the game.”