Neil Allan prepares for three matches against Chile in Edinburgh this weekend after guiding Scotland’s men’s hockey side back the top tier of European hockey after a seven-year gap.
It’s a major achievement for the men’s team who with stood extreme pressure and the intense heat of Rome to return to the top flight.
Interim coach Allan’s men beat Turkiye 6-1 in their opening game in the EuroHockey qualifiers and then edged Croatia 6-4 before winning the final 3-1 against the hosts, Italy.
Edinburgh-based Allan admitted the boys worked hard and added: “We had to win the first two to qualify for the top division in Europe and it is the first time since 2019 since we have been in there. Two good games, the first was against Turkiye. We controlled the game most of the time and we won 6-1 and that got us accustomed to the heat.
“We then played Croatia which we were in control of but lost control in the third quarter and they got back to 3-2, but we saw it out comfortably in the end. We did have a couple of defensive issues to solve, and then we had the final against Italy and they were the second ranked team in the tournament. We were pleased to beat them 3-1.”
Scotland went into the tournament as a top ranked team and Allan conceded that it is tough position to be in and one that the Blue Sticks are not accustomed to. That produces a different pressure as there is an expectation to win.
Also, Scotland’s history adds pressure as there is a saga of not quite making it into the big tournaments.
He added: “We have only been at that level twice this century, so this is a big achievement.”
The interim coach looked at the squad and said: “We have four or five world-class players, but it is a whole team, a young team, we are where we are and improving every game we play.”
It is Chile are at Peffermill on Saturday, August 1 (4.30), Sunday, August 2 (12.20) and Tuesday, August 4 (7.30) and he is working on a training plan moving forward to the end of the year.
Allan said: “Half of the squad are abroad which is positive and negative. They are playing in the best leagues in the world, the Dutch league, the English league, the German league, so we don’t get them at training so much.
“However, they are playing at a high level and we can’t complain. We have video to keep an eye on them and keep track.”
Scotland have moved up to No 17 in the world rankings and the players have ambitions going forward, he said, and added: “This is the highest rank we have every been and we are in A Division, so that is positive, but staying in A Division is their aim. It is a 12 team tournament now so we will try and finish sixth, if possible.”
Other teams who Allan believes will by vying for a top six finish are Ireland, currently ranked No 10, and France, who are one place above the Irish, and he added: “We have beaten them so we have shown what we can do against top level opposition. There are things we have to improve on to be consistent at that level.
“However, it is teamwork and we are looking at preparation and performance and not dropping off an any point. You cannot take your foot off the gas at international level. So we have to keep going, work as a team.”
His message to the squad is: “Keep your foot on the gas, keep working hard and the rewards will come.”
Scotland women are also in action at Peffermill this weekend playing South Africa after games against England and Belgium.
ACTION: Struan Walker playing for Scotland men. Picture courtesy of Scottish Hockey
