Hockey Scottish Cup final: Jess Ross says Edinburgh University have nothing to lose

Jess Ross creates interiors for world-famous furniture retailer IKEA at Loanhead by day, and the Tayside-born hockey player has designs on winning silverware for Edinburgh University on Sunday in the Scottish Cup final.

The 25-year-old is a key cog in the students side who finished eight points adrift of Watsonians in the Premiership title race. But the Dundonian believes her university squad are knocking on the door in the hunt for silverware.

She is determined to secure a moral-boosting result ahead of Edinburgh University’s trip to Turkey from June 3 to 6 for the EuroHockey Challenge II tournament, which also features Glasgow side Clydesdale Western. The Scottish clubs are in separate qualifying pools, but that is two weeks away and Sunday's joust at Peffermill (4pm) is uppermost in her mind.

Ross is pleased to have enjoyed a rest this week after her recent exertions for Scotland.

Amy Costello shields the ball from Jess Ross in Scotland training in Edinburgh: Picture by Nigel Duncan

She was influential in the 2-1 series win over Ireland in three Tests in Belfast, in which the Scots scored 11 goals, and also played a significant part in the 2-0 series win over Wales in Altrincham in an uncapped double-header.

The talented player aims to continue that form into this Sunday and the domestic challenge.

Sam Judge's Edinburgh University squad had four girls away with the Scotland international squad last weekend and a number of others are involved with the Scotland under-21 set-up, underlining the depth of talent at the club.

Ross believes that they can harness that skill base to win silverware on this occasion and prevent their Capital rivals from completing a unique league and cup double.

She said: “In each of the games we’ve played against Watsonians we have come away disappointed with the result.”

Edinburgh University lost 3-0 in November, 4-2 in March and drew 2-2 at the end of April in their final meeting but she insists: "I do not believe there is too much between the teams, and the pressure is definitely on them.

"We have nothing to lose and we just have to go out there, enjoy the occasion."