Good Luck To Scotland At The World Cup!

Date: 7th June 2019

Scotland are embarking on history this weekend. For the first time ever we’ll see a Scotland women’s football team represent our nation at a World Cup. 

It’s the first time, since 1998, that any of our senior sides has reached such an illustrious stage and it’s great to see our country getting excited by the event. 

Some are lucky enough to be heading over to France to support the team from the stands, murals of some of our players have be erected in their hometowns, the media are making a big deal of it and over 18,000 people went to Hampden to wave the women off as they played their final warm-up game against Jamaica. 

We are right to feel excited.

As I’ve already said it’s the first time in awhile we’ve managed to qualify for a World Cup. 

Plus we have a very talented and dedicated boss in Shelley Kerr, who has come in and built on the strong foundations that previous coach Anna Signeul had left behind her. Kerr has managed to get the players to believe in themselves (a tough task for any Scotland manager) and the players have responded by producing some great performances. Shelley currently boasts a 61% win record as a national team gaffer. 

I like the look of the squad that will take to the field in France. We’ve got a really good blend of youth and veterans in the pool. I also like the fact that all the players have played at least four times for their country before this event. It’s also great to see players still plying their trade in Scotland as well as women starring in foreign leagues. I wish we had the same kind of balance in our men’s side. 

If I had to pick a few players to talk about then I’d say Rachel Corsie, Erin Cuthbert and Kim Little. 

Captain Corsie now plays in the United States for Utah Royals. Before that she started her career at Aberdeen Ladies before winning various winner’s medals with Glasgow City. The centre-back has also played in England and Australia. She’s won 109 caps so far, with the defender has also scored sixteen times.

This statement from Rachel to the BBC in the lead-up to the big tournament proves she’s a born leader: 

“I just want to make sure I do everything for every single one of the girls to give themselves the best environment and best opportunity to feel part of the squad, to feel comfortable in the squad, to be able to perform at their absolute best.

“I want to be someone who can enable us all to be united and to be together.”

Kim Little is a superstar in midfield. As well as picking up 132 caps and scoring and incredible fifty-three goals for Scotland, she’s also shone in the English top flight numerous times with Arsenal. Her eye for goal and ability to burst forward from midfield, are reminiscent of Frank Lampard. Kim is a composed top level player that will hopefully drive Scotland on this summer! 

Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert is a forward that’s capable of great moments of individual magic that can change games. At the age of just twenty Erin isn’t just a star for tomorrow, she’s a star for today. She’s a player that had a fantastic season in the WSL and in Europe and here’s hoping she can take that form into the World Cup. 

To be honest, we have a squad full of great players like Lana Clelland, Lisa Evans, Joanne Love, Lizzie Arnot and the list goes on. So that means we have plenty of stars in France that can get us goals and hopefully lead us to victories. 

Scotland do have a tough draw.

Auld Enemy England are one of the tournament’s favourites. They do look good under Phil Neville and have a terrific squad. 

Japan were crowned world champs back in 2011. They come into this having not won in their last four and might be low on morale. But they certainly can’t be discounted. 

South American’s Argentina are like us in that they’ve got a mix of youngsters and older talent. The Argentines have made two appearances previously at World Cups but they’ve still to pick up anything but losses. 

I’m both hopeful and excited for this World Cup in France. I can’t wait to hear Flower of Scotland blaring out and then see our women shine on the football pitch. 

Good luck Scotland, you’ve already made us proud and in the words of Del Amitri ‘Don’t Come Home Too Soon’. 

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