Holcombe vice-captain Rob Field has been named as Scotland captain for their upcoming matches against Poland and Czechia ahead of this month’s EuroHockey Championships Qualifier in Vienna, Austria. 

Scotland will face Poland twice on Thursday, 8 August and Friday, 9 August (both 5pm local time) and Czechia once on Saturday, 10 August (11:30am local time) in Poznan.

In Vienna, Scotland begin the knockout tournament with a match against Croatia on 22 August for a place in the semi-finals on 24 August against either Ukraine or Lithuania. Finals day on 25 August concludes the tournament, with the overall winner taking their place at the EuroHockey Championships next year.

Head Coach Jonny Caren told Scottish Hockey: “As our squad depth increases, the healthy internal competition for places for this tournament, has made my job much harder, in a positive way.

“The hard work and dedication all our athletes have displayed this year has meant the whole group have pushed each other, right up to our last training camp, to be the best they can be at this moment in time.

“We will take confidence from the performances we have already shown this year against teams such as Spain (Olympic semi-finalists), Wales, Japan and Ireland as we go into our final preparation games this week, to polish of the last few details in how we want to play in Vienna.

“We are also looking forward to Lee Morton joining the team again and integrating with the group after an outstanding individual performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics in Great Britain colours.

“We know he will add real value in attack, defence and as a leader within the group as he pulls on his Scottish shirt again.

“I can’t thank those players who have missed out on selection this time, enough.

“It is down to their efforts, why we have such a strong group going to compete for a spot in next year’s European Championships.”

Image: Scottish Hockey