Lee Gibson wants Scotland to focus on being footballers and avoid getting caught up in the politics surrounding Friday's Euro 2025 qualifier against Israel. 

The women's national team will go head-to-head with the controversial Middle Eastern nation in front of an empty Hampden Park after the Scottish FA made the decision due to intelligence about "planned disruptions".

Gibson understands the preparations haven't been ideal especially having to perform without the backing of the Tartan Army, yet she wants to do all she can to ensure Scotland maintain momentum in their qualifying group. 

READ MORE: Rangers wonderkid first pro deal 'top priority for Clement'

Speaking to the media ahead of the behind closed doors clash, the Glasgow City stopper said: "I'm here to play football essentially. Obviously I know what's going on at the moment but we have been guided by the SFA and as a collective we just want to make sure that we play these games to try and get us to the Euros. 

"As players, we turn up, we perform for our national team and we are certainly not involved in politics or anything like that.

"We've pretty much just tried to focus on the footballing side

"Of course we know it's behind closed doors, which is a different prospect that we're not used to. It's a shame that we don't get to have our home fans there but we are aware that, for the safety of everyone, which is paramount, they've made that decision.

"We're certainly not involved in politics or anything like that so we just have to turn up together as a squad and try our best to just try and be footballers."

READ MORE: Pundit stunned by Rooney Celtic admission

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez-Losa has been linked with the vacant managerial role at Lyon, but Gibson has confirmed the Spaniard has ensured the squad that he intends to see out his contract that is set to run until 2027. 

"He's addressed the squad," Gibson, who's been crucial to Scotland remaining unbeaten from their opening two Group B2 matches, said.

"It's football, speculation always surrounds managers. He's re-iterated that he's committed here and we've had that clarity so going forward, we're fully focused on the job at hand and for us, that's to get Scotland back to a major tournament.

"We're not too far off the performances we want to be having. We can then turn those draws against Serbia into wins and be a little bit more convincing. We're fully behind him and we're going to put everything into getting back to the Euros.

"Missing out on the last two major competitions has been hugely disappointing for all the players in the squad and the associated staff members and we're all together in this one common goal - to make sure we're in Switzerland next year."