Regan's an Anna fan as Scotland join Europe elite

The youngsters did so by beating Russia 2-0 and winning their group with maximum points. It was more of a struggle for the senior side in Zenica, but a late hat-trick for striker Jane Ross ensured that they too would finish the day on maximum points in their World Cup qualifying group.

The win, after Scotland fell behind in a game for the first time in the campaign, increases the advantage over Sweden to six points in Group 4, although the favourites have two games in hand.

"I'm immensely proud of Anna Signeul today," SFA chief executive Regan said. "Her development of Scottish women's football has been nothing short of remarkable."

That description also fits the recent scoring feats of Ross, who plays for Swedish club Vittsjo.

Monika Kulis stunned the visitors with a 19th-minute goal and the Scots didn't get an equaliser until Ross fired in a low shot 28 minutes from time. She added a diving header and a third to ensure a sixth Scotland win.

The goals were Ross's seventh, eighth and ninth in the group games. As well as a hat-trick in the away game against Poland in October, she notched one against Australia in last month's Cyprus Cup.

"For Jane to score nine goals in six qualifiers is fantastic," said Signuel. "She scored another in the first half but it wasn't allowed to stand because Leanne Ross, who wasn't interfering with play at all, was offside.

"We didn't stretch Bosnia enough in the first half and we sent too many high balls into their box. But though we were a goal down, at half-time the players were still so positive.

"We changed the shape to 4-3-3 and got the full-backs to overlap more. We missed a lot of chances in the game but Jane showed the way in the last 30 minutes.

"We are very happy to have won our first six games. I'm also delighted that our under-19 have qualified for their finals."