PFA Scotland SWPL Awards Special: Meet the Nominees I A Level Playing Field I Episode 18

A Level Playing Field returns with a special episode spotlighting the standout performers of the SWPL season.

We’re joined by a host of nominees for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards to reflect on their campaigns, key moments, and what this recognition means to them.

Hear from Player of the Year nominees Katie Wilkinson (Rangers), Georgie Timms (Hearts), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City) and Nicole Kozlova, as well as Young Player of the Year nominees Lisa Forrest (Glasgow City) and Laura Berry (Rangers).

From title races to personal milestones, it’s an insight into the players who have defined the season and a look ahead to who might take home the honours. 🎙️⚽

Transcript

SPEAKER_06 0:00

Welcome to a level playing field sponsored by Nutmeg Magazine, the Scottish football quarterly. If you're looking for your next great football read, the World Cup special issue of Nutmeg Magazine is available to purchase now. You can order your copy at nutmegmagazine.co.uk to enjoy stories from Scotland's adventures on the greatest stage.

SPEAKER_04 0:22

Welcome to a level playing field podcast. I'm Cheryl Smith, joined as ever by Alison McConnell. And Alison were here at the PFA Scotland Player of the Year Awards Media Day with the nominees have been revealed and you had a chance to speak to some of them. We'll just go through the the nominees first and we'll have a little chat about that. So the Player of the Year for the SWPL, Georgia Timms of Hearts, Katie Wilkinson of Rangers, and a double for Glasgow City, Lee Gibson and Nicole Kozlova. Is there anything in there that you think is a surprise? Is there anyone you think has has missed out in that short list?

SPEAKER_06 0:55

I think it's probably as you would expect, I would say, and I think there's no real er, you know, no no real surprise that it's dominated by the teams who are up and pushing to go and and win the title. I think Emma Lawton might have sneaked into it. I think she's maybe just uh just struggled a wee bit because Celtic has have had a a fairly poor season as we speak, currently sitting in fifth spot and and really look as though they're out there running for the title. But I think Emma Lawton was one who might just have sneaked in, I think, but but by and large, I think when it gets to this point of the season, what you always tend to find is that the teams who have been consistent and who have consistently challenged and impressed at the top end of the table tend to produce the individual players who go on to claim the accolades.

SPEAKER_04 1:47

Who do you think will be picking up that award then? Can you pick a winner out of those four?

SPEAKER_06 1:52

Yeah, it's an interesting one, isn't it? I I would have to say that had Nicole Kozlova stayed fit, I think I would have thought she might have taken it. I thought she'd have a very, very good season and tons of sympathy for her because obviously her campaign was was cut abruptly short by such a serious injury. So we wish her a uh a straightforward recovery from another ACL and we'll hear more from her on the show. But I think she I I definitely think if she'd stayed fit and and had a full season, she might have been there. Georgia Timms, I think, has been really pivotal and fundamental to the way that hearts have played and and played so fearlessly this season, Katie Wilkinson. I think you can't take her goals out of it when you when you're assessing these things and you look at the sheer volume of goals that she scored again, so so crucial. And Lee Gibson, I just wonder Lee Gibson might be it for me. I I I think um some remarkable saves this year I would say she's maybe been in really the the former of her life at points this term. So I just wonder if she might nick it. When was the last time a goalkeeper won it? Do you remember? Yeah, I'm not sure actually. That's a good question. I'm sure for the men that Craig Gordon's won it.

SPEAKER_04 3:08

Yeah. She had mentioned that she she mentioned in our chat with her that she, you know, goalkeepers don't often get that type of recognition.

SPEAKER_06 3:19

But yeah, I think uh I think she's had a very, very good season. I think she's probably up against it in that respect, and that people tend to to see the goals and see the creativity rather than seeing uh the denial of these things.

SPEAKER_04 3:33

Yeah, I know. Well, in terms of the young player of the year, the short list is Laura Berry of Rangers, Lisa Forrest of Glasgow City, Maycroft of Rangers, and Rosie Livingston from Hibbs. It's a strong four there for the young player who do you see as a standout in that list?

SPEAKER_06 3:51

I think it is a I think it is a strong quartet that is there. I think Lisa Forrest has been excellent this season for Glasgow City, scored some really big goals at big points in the season. Thinking back to that Europa Cup campaign that Glasgow City had, and also Sky Sports Cup final too. Laura Berry, I think it's been excellent for Leanne Crichton's side. I think he's been hugely impressive. But I think Maycroft for me just looks as though she has the ability to go on and be a really fantastic midfielder at just 16. I think the way that she has controlled game, some games that I've seen controlling the game in the middle of the park. And I'm thinking very recently of the last Rangers game against Celtic, I thought she ran the midfield for a 16-year-old kid to go on and do that against a very, very experienced Celtic midfield. I think it was extraordinary. I think she's very calm on the ball all the time. Looks very unflustered receiving the ball even in tight situations and very capable in terms of coming up with a wee bit of creativity. So a player I really like. So yeah, I'm not I'm not entirely sure. I think it might come down to maybe between me or Lisa Forrest.

SPEAKER_04 5:10

Yeah, and those uh winners will be announced at the dinner at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday. We'll be bringing some post-award coverage of that. I also heard there's a rumour that you might be on the stage potentially, as well as being an invited guest.

SPEAKER_06 5:25

I don't know if you're just seen into the future, like three three or four uh wines down and maybe not onto the stage. Yeah, I do believe I have been invited to present an award.

SPEAKER_04 5:35

Well, it's about time. And you should be on that stage. So we'll find out on uh on Sunday the the winners. We had some really great interviews with some of the nominees. So if you listen out for those next, you will be able to hear some really good anecdotes and some little little insider bits of information from some of the players. So really interesting. So definitely stay tuned and listen to those, and we'll bring those to you now.

SPEAKER_06 5:57

Lisa Forest, Glasgow City. Congratulations on your nomination. Lisa, how are you feeling about it?

SPEAKER_05 6:03

Yeah, good. It's always a massive honour to get nominated by the players you play against week in, week out. So yeah, it's just a special special feeling.

SPEAKER_06 6:11

Does this feel like the best season that you've had so far in your professional career, very short professional career so far?

SPEAKER_05 6:17

Yeah, I'd say so. I just want to try and help the team as much as possible if that's starting or coming off the bench, and I feel as if I've had quite a lot of game time this season to go and show what show what I can do. So yeah, I'm just trying to take every game as it comes and help the team as much as I can.

SPEAKER_06 6:31

You mentioned there that it means a lot when you're nominated by your fellow professionals. I would guess that that feels like the biggest compliment there is.

SPEAKER_05 6:39

Yeah, I think so, because there's obviously a lot of talent in the league, uh young talent and experience. So yeah, it's obviously uh it's a really good feeling, so yeah, I'm just delighted. Who did you vote for yourself?

SPEAKER_06 6:50

Er Oh I can't I can't remember. You've got a few, uh a few in your own team that might have got it. Uh-huh. Uh but just in terms of this season, what would it mean to you now? Obviously, you had a huge moment when you scored the goals at at Fur Park in the Sky Sports Final, but there's so much to play for now between now and the end of the season. What would it mean to you just to to not only have a personal accolade but also to have a potential treble at the end of the season?

SPEAKER_05 7:15

Yeah, I think most important is the the team winning the trophies that I think we deserve, and we believe that we can go on and do it. So yeah, it's as I said, it's just try to help the team as much as I can. And yeah, obviously if I was to uh win the award it would be good, but all focus is on winning the silverware with the team. Do you think you've got the nerve for a last day drama? Yeah, I feel like it always comes down to the last uh last day. So yeah, we'll just see what happens, but we just focus on ourselves and take each game as it comes.

SPEAKER_06 7:44

You would obviously have been a really young player just coming through the Academy at Ibrooks in the day that that Lauren scored that goal and won the league with practically the last kick of the ball. What was that like then and what would it be like now when you're a much more established part of the first team?

SPEAKER_05 7:58

Yeah, I remember sitting on the bench that day, and I honestly I couldn't believe it. The nerves were I was so nervous, but honestly, I think now if it was to happen, it would just you just take it in your stride, and I feel like you are more nervous when you're watching, so like that's the games you want to play in the high pressure games, and you kind of just take it in your stride, and yeah, we'll we'll just see what happens.

SPEAKER_06 8:18

That was that's what I was just about to ask. Is it actually easier to be on the pitch when you feel as though you're in control of what can happen and you're in control of the the possibilities rather than sitting watching and you know that you're almost kicking every ball? Yeah, no, I think 100%, but yeah, as I said, we'll just see what happens and what about those uh those two big goals in the the Sky Sports Cup final and obviously the first bit of silver wearing off for the season? What did that do for you to go and score on such a big platform?

SPEAKER_05 8:46

Yeah, yeah, I think it gives you a lot of confidence, obviously, like helping the team win a trophy. So yeah, you take a lot of confidence from it, then yeah, like it was obviously a really good day for myself, the team, the coaching staff, everyone involved, and yeah, we were all just really delighted with it. You watched those goals back a few times? Yeah, a few times.

SPEAKER_06 9:04

Okay, thank you, and best of luck with you and the end of the season. Thanks.

SPEAKER_04 9:08

It's time for our player of the week sponsored by Nutmeg Magazine, the home of brilliant football stories. Check out the latest issue at Nutmeg Magazine.co.uk.

SPEAKER_06 9:17

The Player of the Week award sponsored by Nutmeg goes to Georgia Timms for her performance for Hearts against Rangers on Friday night. She was pivotal to that result as Eva Olid said, kept themselves at the forefront of the SWPL.

SPEAKER_04 9:31

That was our Nutmeg Magazine Player of the Week. For more great football writing and to order the latest issue, visit Nutmeg Magazine.co.uk.

SPEAKER_06 9:40

Georgia Timms Hearts, uh, congratulations on your nomination and what does it mean to you?

SPEAKER_02 9:45

Yeah, obviously it's massive. Uh we um when I got the phone call, uh I was obviously pretty surprised, but I was um grateful for it.

SPEAKER_06 9:56

What uh what would it mean to you to go on and help this team to win the league? You've got a fabulous opportunity to make a bit of history with this team this season. What would it mean to you to go and do that?

SPEAKER_02 10:07

Oh everything. Um obviously we know we want to win this league. Uh we've got a great uh group of girls and we know that we can go and do it. Obviously, the staff have been amazing. Um we know that like it's we're capable of it. It's just um not putting the pressure on ourselves now and just going and do it.

SPEAKER_06 10:27

Is it a real belief in the squad? Because you would suspect that when it gets to this stage and the clock's starting to tick and you know that you can run out of road very, very quickly with any defeats. How important is that conviction and belief? And do you sense it in the dressing room?

SPEAKER_02 10:40

Yeah, definitely. I as a whole, I feel like there's not any pressure on us. Uh Ava hasn't put pressure on us, the club haven't, which I think is helping us as a group. Uh, the change of room's still laughing, joking, but when it comes to it, we're serious. Uh we know what we need to do and we know that we need to get the job done.

SPEAKER_06 10:57

What do you uh what do you reflect on when you look back and you think you've beaten all the big teams this season? What has that done for confidence too? You know that you've gone toe-to-toe with Rangers as you as you did on Friday night, you've gone toe-to-toe with Glasgow City, you got a result at at Peters Hill, you've beaten Celtic this season, you've you've beaten Hibbs at points this season. You know, what has that done for the team?

SPEAKER_02 11:21

Yeah, obviously I I've been here what four seasons now, and every season that we've been close to it, but we've just not done it. So I think doing it this year is definitely giving more belief to the squad. Uh we're such a good squad, and Ava says it to us all the time. Like, we need to believe in ourselves a bit more, which I think as a whole in previous seasons we haven't. Whereas this year we're obviously showing that, um, which I think obviously the whole squad is believing that we can do it. We'll see. Um, hopefully we can do it, but I'm sure we will. What would it mean to you in your career? Would this be the highlight of your career to go and wanna? Yeah, this will be tough and obviously I came here uh when uh obviously I got brought up by uh Ava. Uh we spoke about this project and being with Ava and doing this, uh and obviously with the circumstances of Ava leaving, this is a massive factor, and we really want to get it over the line.

SPEAKER_06 12:14

Is that is that an extra motivator, do you think, maybe to go and win it for her? It seems to be it has been uh improvements every season under Eva. Would this just be the culmination of that project?

SPEAKER_02 12:26

No, 100%. Um obviously it'll be great for her, it'd be great for the girls, and obviously the club itself. Um, and fingers crossed we can do it. How do you feel about knowing that it's the end of the road coming for Eva? Uh obviously for myself, uh I have a great relationship with her on and off the pitch, so it is a shame, but obviously she's a great manager, and uh obviously I wish her all the best and hope she goes on and do better things.

SPEAKER_06 12:50

Well, in terms of your own nomination for this award, what does it mean when you've been nominated by your fellow professionals?

SPEAKER_02 12:57

It means a lot. Uh I think it's just getting the recognition. Um obviously I've had a good season. Um I made sure at the start of the season I was fit um mentally in the right place, and I was hoping that this season would push on. Obviously, I've been here for a few seasons now. So it was just making sure I could go and push on and show what I can actually do. You feel as though this has been your best season of your career? 100%. This has definitely been uh I've definitely felt very confident this year, but I think that's come from the staff as well. Obviously, the girls have done amazing. Obviously, the pressure I'd say the pressure has been a lot less on me this year. Uh obviously in previous seasons, I feel like it has been a lot more. But with the striking force of Carly Johns and obviously Billy Hutchison there, when one of us don't score, the other one does. And even within the whole team, there's been players that have stepped up when obviously others can't. So I think that just shows where we're sitting right now.

SPEAKER_06 13:51

When you look at what's going on at the club just now, Derek McKinnas is say sitting at the top of the league, your team sitting at the top of the league. What's the atmosphere like around Orium just now?

SPEAKER_02 14:02

Yeah, it's uh it's amazing. Like to be honest, like you wouldn't realise that we're both at the top. Um there's no like there's no how how can I say it? Like everyone's just happy. No one's like scared or like there's no like I don't know, I don't really know how to put it into words to be honest, but no, it you walk past everyone, everyone's still smiling. There's no pressure. That's how it feels really. Um obviously I'd say there's probably more pressure for the men than us. Um but no, it's it's all good.

SPEAKER_06 14:35

Have you been keeping track of their games? Did you watch the the Derby against Teddy?

SPEAKER_02 14:39

Yeah, yeah, no. I watched yesterday, it was uh very tense, but no, they got the job done and that's all that matters. How do you feel now? You've got a a a game on Tuesday night. Does every game now feel as though it carries real weight? Uh obviously, obviously the game on Friday was massive for us. We we knew knew we needed to get the win, but then now we're just focused on tomorrow night. Obviously, we know part it's not gonna be an easy game. Um it's gonna be probably one of the hardest games for us just because of I think like obviously we need to win every game. Like we've said this, uh we're just taking it game by game, and um hopefully we can get over the line.

SPEAKER_06 15:12

And in terms of individual honors, what does it mean to you? Uh or what would it mean to you if you were to go on and win this?

SPEAKER_02 15:20

Massive. Uh obviously, like I said, um just for the club, the players, and then obviously the coaching staff, um, obviously the project that we've set ourselves. Obviously, at the start of the season, we didn't put targets on ourselves. Um we just said literally we wanted to take it game by game, win every game that we could. Um, but we didn't put to win the league up there. But obviously it's in the back of your head, but we just didn't want to put any pressure on ourselves to do that. Do you set individual individual targets for yourself? Yeah, uh obviously every year I want to do better. Um this year I've actually not as much. I've just just play, just be happy, just uh obviously uh Ava and Pascal have been very good with me, um, given me a lot of confidence and just said go and play, just be yourself. So I think that's helped.

SPEAKER_06 16:09

You you said that you've taken a lot of confidence from Eva, but who else was a big inspiration for you and who has been an inspiration for you in your career?

SPEAKER_02 16:17

Uh I definitely say my dad. Um my dad followed me everywhere, um supported me, uh, and uh my nan and grump as well. Uh anything to do with football, they're always there. They're pushing me. And when I'm doing well, obviously they praise me. When I'm not doing well, they keep me going. So no, I'd definitely say them.

SPEAKER_06 16:35

Have they uh been avid hearts TV fans this season then?

SPEAKER_02 16:38

Yeah, no, constantly watching and coming up, uh, which is good and helps me as well.

SPEAKER_06 16:42

Brilliant. Thank you and good luck. Katie Wilkinson, uh player of the year nominee. How does that feel?

SPEAKER_00 16:56

Yeah, really nice, really proud um to be nominated by you know the rest of the girls and other teams in the league. Um, yeah, proud.

SPEAKER_06 17:05

Does it make it extra special when it comes from your fellow professionals when you get that recognition from the people you've played against all season?

SPEAKER_00 17:12

Yeah, I think so. Um to be fair, when I'm playing against them, I don't feel I probably feel like they're enemies, so to to kind of know that it's a bit of a pat on the back is a nice feeling. Who did you vote for? That's a secret.

SPEAKER_06 17:28

But uh in terms just of of this season uh as a whole, how have you found it and do you still feel as though the strangers team can go and make up a bit of ground now?

SPEAKER_00 17:38

Yeah, I think you know, obviously the resort Friday night didn't go our way. Um, you know, there's still four games left to play. Um we know that anything can happen, it can go right down to the last game or it can be done in a couple of games time. Um, but we know that we've kind of got to put that focus on ourselves unless we do the job, we're not gonna kind of put pressure on other people. But for us, you know, the whole season's really been about consistency, something that we've probably not had as much as we would have liked. Um, but all we can kind of do going forward is in the next four games try and be as consistent as we can and put as many points on the board as we can and then see see how we end up.

SPEAKER_06 18:20

Obviously, there'll be frustration maybe at points where games have maybe got away from you, you've not taken your chances, just thinking about Friday night and you might have taken something from it. How important is it just to park that and focus now on the next couple of weeks when you've got so much riding on it? Does the league you've got a semi-final two at Hamden?

SPEAKER_00 18:37

You have to. Um, you know, if we're all moping about and concerned about what happened Friday night, then moving forward it's not going to be a positive outcome. So you have to process it, be annoyed, be frustrated, all that, but ultimately you get back into training and focus on the next thing, and we've got to pull together and make sure that we give the best version of ourselves on Wednesday night and see where we end up at at the end of the 90 minutes.

SPEAKER_06 19:03

What does an individual award mean to you in the context of a season?

SPEAKER_00 19:08

Um it's I think we've had this conversation before. I think obviously I'm very proud to pick up those awards, but ultimately I want them to lead to you know team achievements. Um so for me it would mean a lot more if by the end of the season it's contributed to team success.

SPEAKER_06 19:27

You think it might have been better to play like Friday night's game if if everything had stayed as it was and that game was played at IBROX, that it might have suited your game better, a bigger pitch played on grass and a bigger crowd?

SPEAKER_00 19:39

Uh you you don't know, do you because we haven't we haven't kind of played that game at Ibrox, so that's a difficult question to answer, but ultimately we you know we knew the game was going to be at Broadwood eventually, um that earlier kickoff, and that was down to us to prepare for that in the best way possible. Um and unfortunately just the performance from us wasn't good enough, and that's ultimately what it's down to. So um, like a like we spoke about Wednesday night's massive for us, and um we're doing all that we can to prepare as best we can for it, and hopefully we can go and get the three points.

SPEAKER_06 20:13

Is one of the senior figures within that team, do you see that as your role now over the next few days? You saying to people, you know, you've got to focus on what still is to come rather than than ruminating on what's been and maybe on on things that have got away, but in actual fact you've still got things that are within your control?

SPEAKER_00 20:29

Yeah, 100%, and that's the thing. You can only control those things that are ahead of you. Um, can't change what happened on Friday night. All we can do is look back at it and and try and learn from those things that we maybe didn't do so right, and just make sure that you know the senior players in the group are kind of making sure the the vibe around the group is good, we're nice and positive and and sticking together and and hopefully then that can have a positive impact on Wednesday evening.

SPEAKER_06 20:56

Yeah, because obviously this is this is a squad to have experience missing out on the last day for the last two seasons and feeling it just slip away. I would imagine that's made for pretty tough summers for for lots of the players that have experienced that. Would that be your advice too? Like don't leave any regrets, you've got what you've got to make sure it's it's all out there.

SPEAKER_00 21:14

Yeah, I think you know, you when you first walk out, you've got that 45 minutes in front of you. Um it's about giving all that you can in that, and if you have to make any adjustments at half-time you do that, and then it's about going out again, another 45 minutes where you leave everything out on the pitch and have no regrets, like you say. And for us, all we can do is give our absolute all. Um I think this league is crazy for the twists and the turns, and you know, teams picking up results off different teams each week that goes by. Um so you can never really call it, but like I say, we can only give everything that we've got and try and prepare the best that we can and you know leave that pitch with no regrets, and hopefully we can go and do that on Wednesday.

SPEAKER_06 21:57

You're joined in the list of nominees by uh you know. Young Player of the Year award for for May. How impressed with you by her? She's 16 years old and has, you know, really played a fundamental part in the middle of the park this season for Rangers?

SPEAKER_00 22:11

Yeah, she's been class. Um, you know, to think she's she's just 16. Um, she's definitely got so much to learn still, which is a really good thing to have, and she's got a lot of girls around her that want to help her learn and help her grow. Um, but the you know, the some of the performances that she've she's given us this season have been class and you know, running that midfield, you know, like she's been around the game for forever, so it's really good, and hopefully she can kind of see how important it is that you know to be nominated for for such an award and then just keep pushing on, really.

SPEAKER_06 22:48

Can imagine she must be in the middle of exams just now as well. It's such an odd odd thing, you know, you're still hanging on to the latter parts of childhood and and going through through these rites of passages, and yet here you are, here she is, like sitting uh at a nominee for for one of the major players of the campaign.

SPEAKER_00 23:05

Yeah, and that's the balance that they've got to have with some of the younger players in our squad. You know, some of them are still going to school on days off and stuff like that. So credit to them for trying to balance that as well. But that just goes to show how how well May's done this season as well, to have to balance all those things. Um, and hopefully she does well in her exams as well.

SPEAKER_06 23:25

And an England youth internationalist is uh she's not a Scottish youth internationalist. That's one you you guys have got enough talent in there, I think.

SPEAKER_00 23:33

Well, you have to speak to May about that one.

SPEAKER_06 23:36

Have you you mentioned there just how mad you found the league, but have you had any interest from from down south and in former teammates and and stuff just in how intense it is because this has become a trademark in in the league across recent seasons?

SPEAKER_00 23:49

Yeah, I think you know the the way the the Scottish League is growing as well in itself, there's always interest and people kind of keeping an eye on what's going on, um, which is nice to see. And of course, you get the games on the BBC and Sky Sports and stuff, so it's you know there's plenty of opportunity for people to have a look at what's going on. Um but I think it's hard to keep your eyes away from it when the you know the title challenge is so tight at the top and is changing all the time, so I think that definitely helps.

SPEAKER_06 24:18

Will you watch Tuesday Night's game?

SPEAKER_00 24:20

Yes, I will.

SPEAKER_03 24:33

Yeah, it's great. Um to get recognition from your fellow professionals and players that you play against week in, week out is it's yeah, it's really nice actually.

SPEAKER_06 24:43

It's uh it's not your first rodeo when it comes to this kind of thing. How does an individual award stack up against the the team collective and going and being successful with the side? Because obviously you're you're well versed in both.

SPEAKER_03 24:56

It's uh it's nice, it feels a little bit different. Um I'm obviously one of the senior players now, so I'm getting a little bit older, but um listen, it's great. I I think we've been pretty consistent this year, um, which has been nice, and I've absolutely loved football. Um in training every day, such a great group. The girls that I train with, the goalkeepers that I train with as well, and Aaron, Eva, and Dan the goalie coach, like I think this season's been um probably one of my best, and just so consistent. So that's been really, really enjoyable. Um and yeah, that that's obviously nice having kind of an individual award and having a nomination. But I think the biggest thing is you want to look at what you can win with the team. Um so individual awards and things like that are nice, but I think the biggest thing for us is to make sure that we continue and win silverware this year.

SPEAKER_06 25:45

I would imagine too there's a real compliment when it's your fellow players who are nominating you.

SPEAKER_03 25:50

Yeah, it is. Um but not often that goalkeepers are in and around it, so no, it is, it's it's really nice. Um as I say, I've thoroughly enjoyed this season. It's it's been a bit chaotic more recently, um, and I'm sure there'll be more chaos to come over the next four games, but it's the league split, and I think that's why the neutral everybody loves it, because you can't ever quite put your finger on what's going to happen. Um it's a bit of the unknown, but for us, yeah, we're really looking forward to the challenge.

SPEAKER_06 26:17

Do you still have the same hunger that you had when when you started out, the same enthusiasm for it?

SPEAKER_03 26:22

100%, and probably even more. Um you kind of live and breathe football as you go older. It's it's all you've known since you were like 16, 17, and I'm in my 30s now, and yeah, I just I love it, I love the club that I'm at. I love being competitive and trying to win um everything that's that's out there to be won. And we've had a good start in in winning the League Cup, which was great. We hadn't won that in such a long time. But I think the biggest thing for us is always going to be that that league title, and we've not had it for a few years, um and we've had a relatively consistent season this year, but we've got four massive games uh to come, and we really need to show um what we're all about.

SPEAKER_06 27:01

I can imagine the last couple of summers have been difficult. You've been so used to a dominant Glasgow City side, a side that that enjoyed celebrating at the end of the season, perennially enjoyed celebrating at the end of the season. I can imagine it must have been really tough to take it finishing empty-handed. Was that the catalyst for some of the kind of form that we've seen this season because Glasgow City were hugely consistent, maybe just up with a couple of hiccups in recent weeks, but was that the real driving force getting into this campaign?

SPEAKER_03 27:31

Yeah, I mean I feel last year we played really good football, um, and there would there was a few particular results that we just didn't get and we struggled in in games. And you look at the end of the season, we lost heavily in a cup final against Rangers, and you watch other teams celebrate, and it's difficult because you have such a long period then before you then meet back up, you go into international, you then have a little bit of a break, and then you're straight back into the next cycle. And for players that have been around it for a long time and and had that taste of of winning silverware, you never ever get tired of it, and it's not something that you take for granted. But I think probably when I was younger, like it was just you never celebrated because it was the next one that you were always looking for. Whereas now I think I probably saved more that lee cup because it had been such a long time. Um and yeah, I just want everything for the girls that have been a part of it for a long time, but especially for the ones that are new to this, um, new to the league and and to how everything is at Glasgow City. I think as a club we've always been successful, um, and I want everybody to really properly enjoy it this year because I think the season that we've had so far has been consistent, um, but we'll see where it takes us come four games.

SPEAKER_06 28:42

Aside from the obvious, what do you need across the next four games?

SPEAKER_03 28:46

I think we need to continue to be defensively solid. I think we've we've we've done really well in that aspect and we've dominated a lot of games, we've played really good football. It's making sure that the other end of the pitch that we take and convert our chances. Um we've got some top quality up front, even got Lisa Forrest who's I'm so happy for her this year because as much people might be saying it's a breakout, like she's been doing it for the last couple of seasons, she's been in as a teenager with us, and I think looking at Europa League, like she was a star there and has consistently performed at the top, top level, and she's been brilliant for us this year. And and I know that come the end, like we've got players like her and Emily, Sophia, Abby, all the contributions, um that top kind of side of the pitch that that's hopefully what's going to get us over the line.

SPEAKER_06 29:34

In terms of coping with the pressure, I mean I would imagine that players like yourself who've been over the course before and know what it takes going into potentially a final day title desider would be so important to some of those young players to to just kind of manage the nerves and and how you get through a uh a scenario like that.

SPEAKER_03 29:54

Yeah, we're we're fortunate that we've we've been through it before, and the last time it was it was an away game, which was maybe a little bit more trickier, but obviously a similar opponent. Um there's gonna be nerves. I don't think you can hide away from that if it gets down to that stage, if it comes down to the last game of the season, which it it very much could be. It's all about just knowing that it's a game of football at the end of the day, and you just need to go out and and try and win individual battles, perform and and just allow yourself to be free on the pitch. I think that's the biggest thing and play win over, essentially.

SPEAKER_06 30:27

Where did that I rooks triumph rank for you and all the titles in Silverbare that you've won?

SPEAKER_03 30:33

Yeah, that was probably the top one. I think more just the drama of everything as well, and it was it really was relief, I think, come the end of it because that campaign I think we'd let an eight-point lead slip um and we got it done in the the final day in a little bit dramatic setting, but it was it was so fun. It was um to do it with some of your best friends was such a a probably a big highlight for me at Glasgow City. Um I've been fortunate to win a lot of silverware, but I think those are the moments that you probably look back at a little bit more fonder. And I'd just love nothing more for the rest of the girls to experience that. Yeah, it would to have a home home fans be there as well, listen to traveling the numbers to wherever we are. Um but yeah, that that would that would be the kind of perfect end uh to the league season.

SPEAKER_06 31:30

Laura Berry, young player of the year nomination. How does that feel?

SPEAKER_07 31:34

Yeah, it's amazing. I think the fact that it's voted by your players, it's yeah, it's really brilliant for me.

SPEAKER_06 31:40

What's this season been like for you? How much have you enjoyed it?

SPEAKER_07 31:44

Yeah, I've really enjoyed it. I think just getting a regular games and playing at Rangers, it's been something I've wanted to do since I was a wee girl, so to get that opportunity I've I've loved every minute.

SPEAKER_06 31:55

Did you do you remember watching Leanne play like when Scotland got to the World Cup for the very first time and qualified, and you know, Leanne would have been a uh a big part of that team who made history with the national side? Do you remember watching any of that as a young player?

SPEAKER_07 32:09

As my young kid, sorry. I think I went to um again when I was young and I've actually got a photo with Leanne, so um yeah, it's crazy to think that she's now managing me and yeah, I've enjoyed working under and hopefully I can continue that.

SPEAKER_06 32:21

That's quite surreal actually, that you go full full circle. So was it quite uh exciting for you when she came in and took over then and it's someone that you had charted their career?

SPEAKER_07 32:30

Yeah, definitely. I think I worked with her a bit at Mother Welsh already, knew her and her brother Colin, so yeah, it's it's great to be working with her again and I've really enjoyed it. What kind of pointers has she given you this season? I think it's more just about the confidence to go and play. She she gives me that and she gives all you can see she gives all the young players the confidence and I think that's just what you want to go and express yourself on the pitch, and I think you can see that all the young players in the squad have done really well, so she's she's doing a good job, I think.

SPEAKER_06 32:59

What's the biggest learnance that you've taken from this season?

SPEAKER_07 33:03

I think it's just about playing in the big games. I think that's that's the big thing. That's the first season I've probably done that and they've been really enjoyable, but it's something I want to continue doing is playing in of in the big games and the cup finals and the old firms. So I've hopefully I can continue to do that.

SPEAKER_06 33:20

Is that pressure something that you enjoy? Is that something that you would rather you you embrace rather than shrink from?

SPEAKER_07 33:26

Yeah, definitely. I think I like the pressure. I think if you're not under any pressure then what are you doing? So I think yeah, it's been good this season, it's been different, but I think I'm learning to deal with it quite well.

SPEAKER_06 33:37

And still confident about the the run-in? Quite a fraught few weeks ahead of you?

SPEAKER_07 33:42

Yeah, definitely. I think we've got hard games, but so's everyone. So we're just taking it every game as it comes and focusing on ourselves, that's all we can do, and hopefully we can get the outcome that we want.

SPEAKER_06 33:53

When you look back to that time when you were watching the national team go on and make it to the European Championships for the first time and qualify for a World Cup for the first time, did you ever feel as though that that was a a potential full-time professional journey that you could go on?

SPEAKER_07 34:08

Um probably not when I was younger, but the women's games growing so much over the past few years and it's been amazing to watch and be a part of. So yeah, it's it's just great to be doing that as a full-time, full-time job now.

SPEAKER_06 34:20

Mm-hmm. And that coming through as a Rangers fan, does it make it all the more special when you put on the shirt and you're running out?

SPEAKER_07 34:26

Yeah, definitely. I think I go to all the men's games still, so to to get the opportunities to play at iBox and to even just to wear the shirt, it's yeah, it's a dream come true for me and my family, and I know I know how proud they are, so that just makes it extra special.

SPEAKER_06 34:40

Who was your favourite player growing up then?

SPEAKER_07 34:42

My favourite player. I liked Morelos. I I know he's a bit of a hothead, but I think we're quite similar in some ways, so yeah, he was my favourite player growing up.

SPEAKER_06 34:52

Hopefully not with a hot head. No, hopefully not. What was your best iBrooks memory then? What's your highlight of being at IROX? As a fan. Either or?

SPEAKER_07 35:01

As a fan, I'd say probably it was the game against Braga. Had you scored a free kick. We were um flagbearers that game, so it was extra special, it was only young. And then as a player I'd say scoring against Celtic.

SPEAKER_06 35:21

That feels like two minutes ago, that game against uh Braga. So to go from being a flagbearer to being a first team player, what's that like for you? And what's that what's that to me that seems really like a really short space of time, but I imagine it doesn't feel like that for you?

SPEAKER_07 35:36

Yeah, no, uh it does at the same time. It feels short but it feels long. It feels like only two minutes ago I was still in the academy and it's been three years now and I've enjoyed every single minute and yeah, I just love going into training every day and playing for Rangers. It's just it's a dream come true and yeah, I really enjoy it.

SPEAKER_06 35:53

Do you combine it with studying or anything, or are you just fully focused on on full-time football?

SPEAKER_07 35:58

Uh right now I'm just fully focused on football. Uh I finished school, I got my hires, so I'm just focusing on my football right now and hoping that can go well.

SPEAKER_06 36:07

Brilliant. Good luck, and congratulations on the nomination. Nicole Kozlova uh nomination for player of the year, congratulations. What does it mean to you to be nominated?

SPEAKER_01 36:24

Yeah, honestly, it means a lot. You know, it's voted by players that you're playing against week in and week out, and I don't know if there's a greater honor than that. And yeah, made me really happy. It kind of came out as a surprise. Does that make it extra special for you when it comes from your fellow professionals? I think it does. You know, it's like I said, it's the people you're playing against, and you know, that means I'm making their job hard and they respect it, which yeah, means a lot.

SPEAKER_06 36:45

What's your own observations now from where you are? Uh uh you've obviously been in the thick of it right up until March, and now you find yourself kind of on the outside looking in. Just how tough has that been to process and and get to grips with, and also the fact that you'll be feeling as though you can't actually make an impact on the pitch now for the the crucial last few weeks of the season?

SPEAKER_01 37:06

Yeah, honestly, I probably have felt every single emotion uh since this injury has happened, and to be honest, this day has made me think a bit more about the actual season. I think you know, for the past six weeks, two months, my mind has been full focus on my knee and my rehab and the things kind of around that. Um so this has just made me kind of reflect a little bit more on the season and what actually has happened and what is uh is currently happening. Um so yeah, it's it's been really hard. Uh there's no hiding that I want to be on that pitch with the girls and you know, an injury that is a serious injury that takes you out for quite a while, so it's not even this season, it goes into next season as well. Um so it's been hard to accept, but all I can really do is take it day by day and I'm gonna give 110% to my rehab and and making sure I'm supporting the team kind of from the side as well.

SPEAKER_06 37:49

You obviously had this injury unfortunately before. Did you know immediately that or did you have a fear immediately that that's what it was?

SPEAKER_01 37:57

I knew it, yeah. I knew instantly, so when I went down, it was a very loud pop. Um the girls on the sideline actually thought it was my shin guard that got hit. Um so as I was falling, I literally made eye contact with my coach and I said, That's that's me done. Um so I knew quite instantly, and I got quite lucky that I actually got an MRI that same night, like an hour later, that confirmed it. Um so unfortunately, yeah. I kinda I knew in the moment, and honestly, it wasn't the pain that made me kind of cry and anger. It was just more like anger and what was about to happen and what this meant.

SPEAKER_06 38:23

Yeah, I can imagine knowing that you know the guts of a year of of real hard slog and hard work ahead of you. A notice that you've started your own kind of vlog, like trial and your your return and your rehabilitation. How important is that for you? Maybe does that give you some encouragement and does it maybe give others encouragement too who are going through a similar thing?

SPEAKER_01 38:42

Yeah, I think it's kind of a two-lens, like I think obviously I've done my other knee a while back, so eight years ago now, and I sometimes go back and I regret that I don't have film from it because now I kind of trying to compare it a bit, but not even that, just it's quite an intense rehab journey, and I know I hope that you know if if it inspires anybody while I'm kind of filming it, I'm filming it for myself as well because like you said, it's hard to see sometimes the differences and the changes, and even now if I take week one to week six, the change in my knee and what I'm able to do is massive. Um, and so it's always kind of a nice reminder, especially maybe when on a on a hard day when you think nothing's going right or you're not making any progress, it's always good to see. But then on the flip side, you know, I am in a public role and I am a footballer and I I do want to inspire people. And so if my journey can and if they can see kind of my journey throughout and then how hopefully a positive end after that, um, then I'm gonna be happy with that.

SPEAKER_06 39:31

I can imagine then that today though feels a bit bittersweet when you see that the heights that you have scaled at points this season.

SPEAKER_01 39:38

Yeah, I think, you know, before I got hurt, I was really, really enjoying my football. Um could potentially say it was probably my best form so far in my career, and I wasn't taking it for granted, so sometimes that's kind of hurts because I feel like sometimes, you know, life kind of takes makes you take a step back so that you're more grateful for it. And I would say I was even really grateful already to begin with. So it was hard to accept. Um, and it's it is hard. It's a bit scary to to wonder if I can get back to that same level. Um try not to think about it too much if I'm honest, because it does fear is a big emotion I feel kind of during this recovery. Um, and it's so far down the line. So I just hope, you know, I can get back to this level, if not better.

SPEAKER_06 40:16

So yeah, we'll see. Have you spoken to any other fellow players who have gone through the same injury recently and who know exactly what it is that you're going through, not necessarily physically, but emotionally?

SPEAKER_01 40:29

Yeah, you know, you know, when this injury came, the support that came came flowing was massive from people near, people far. Um so definitely got the support, and I've been in contact kind of with people who maybe are in a similar shoes as me currently uh or recently. Um like you said, it's hard it's nice to speak to people kind of who have gone through it um or are going through it just because it like you said, it's sometimes not even the physical side of things that's hard, it's the mental side, and it's hard to explain to someone. Um, even sometimes I don't understand what I'm feeling. Um so it yeah, it's always nice to have that support.

SPEAKER_06 40:57

I'm just thinking like someone like Caroline Weir who'd obviously gone through a similar injury but has come back and played in Champions League football, nominated for the Ballon d'Or, you know, someone who did get back to to a level, does that give you, you know, inspiration that you know it is it is a possibility?

SPEAKER_01 41:13

No, and honestly, that's kind of one of the first things I did when I got hurt. I started to find players who've I wasn't in contact with them, but just seeing players who were kind of at that top and they got back to the top post-injury. Um and like you said, it's possible, so it's as much as it's scary, it is there's no reason why it can't happen. Um so again, this is way down the line. So currently I'm trying to take it day by day, but yeah, moments like that are always nice to see success stories like that.

SPEAKER_06 41:38

I can imagine it must be tough too when you're away from home having such an injury like that and you've not got a support network naturally uh around you.

SPEAKER_01 41:46

Yeah, it definitely is really different. So thankfully my dad did come across when I was just out of surgery because the I would say the first ten days are quite a rough time and you need all the support, which for me was really hard because I'm a very independent person, and you know, next thing you know I'm here I'm asking for someone to put on my shoes for me. Um but it is different. It's definitely hard because you know, I c I'm over here to play football, and I can't be I can't play football now or anytime soon. So it's definitely really different, but you know, the team's been great, and I have a great group of friends here and support. So it's hard, but you know, it's kind of a situation I'm in, and you know I know my family's also supporting me from afar.

SPEAKER_06 42:20

How do you feel watching games? Is that quite hard going back to to watch the team play?

SPEAKER_01 42:25

Yeah, I actually I would say game days are probably the hardest day of the week. Um it's just kind of a reminder where you're not and you also feel kind of helpless. Um I would say watching games is more stressful than playing, and I just kind of a bit of a feeling that I've let the team down just because I can't help them in any way on that pitch. Um so it's always a long 90 minutes to watch, and you know, I'm stressing and I want a result, so it's yeah, I'd no hiding that's been very hard.

SPEAKER_06 42:48

I would imagine then you would much rather have the boots on and be influencing things on the pitch. How tough is it to watch a a title run in when it is so fraught?

SPEAKER_01 42:58

Yeah, it's so it's it's really hard, and you know, because I'm not playing sometimes on the day of the game, I'm following other scores, following other games, and I think it's just a feeling of helplessness that I feel like I can't play a role or or the role I have been playing has changed. Um you can't literally can't do anything about it at the moment. So it's hard, and you know, but at the same time I have, you know, all the belief in my teammates and the team as a whole.

SPEAKER_06 43:20

Your your teammates speak of you being very enthusiastic to be around and having a natural energy. Is that something that you think you can help with, obviously, in terms of your influence between now and the end of the season?

SPEAKER_01 43:32

Yeah, and I think that's all I really can be doing and maybe giving some insight and especially the younger girls bringing them up. Um and I like I I love the game and I I think I see the game really well. So, you know, every game at halftime I'm in that locker room trying to give little things that I might have sought seen from the stand because the game does look different from afar. Um so yeah, and then day to day, just making sure kind of I'm there for players as well. Um, as much as I'm I'm out of it, I'm still there.

SPEAKER_06 43:56

You've got a couple of teammates here today, too, Lisa. Obviously, nominated. For the young player than Lee for the player of the year, too. Just tell me your thoughts on both of them.

SPEAKER_01 44:05

Yeah, both are quality players. I think, you know, for me, Lee, best keeper I've ever played with. Luckily she's on my team. But you know, in training, when I'm doing shooting, it's always great to have a keeper like that. You know, you have to put it right in the corner to make sure it goes in. And she's been class this year and a great leader for our squad. So I'm just glad she's getting kind of the praise that she deserves. And then Lisa, you know, a young player, um, player that I'm paired up with often at on the top of the pitch, and seeing the quality she brought and the humble person that she is, I'm again really happy for her that she's kind of getting this praise and all well deserved.

SPEAKER_06 44:37

I'm just thinking back to the Sky Sports Cup final and the celebrations at full time you were out with your crutches on and and waving them about. Was that uh one of your toughest moments too? Because that was really just a few weeks after it.

SPEAKER_01 44:50

Yeah, it was quite early in the stages, and like you said, it's such a bittersweet moment because I was so happy for the team and you know, and for example, Lisa Force, what a game for her. Um, you know, and things like that. But yeah, on the flip side, I wanted to be on that pitch so bad. I remember looking forward to that final um before I got her before international. So yeah, it was a tough moment to be there, but again, couldn't be happier that you know we won that trophy.

SPEAKER_06 45:13

And uh can we ask you who you voted for? Did you forget?

SPEAKER_01 45:20

Uh I voted for Shinji actually and Timms, I think, both quality players.

SPEAKER_06 45:25

Brilliant.

SPEAKER_01 45:26

Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_04 45:33

That was some of the nominees for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year Awards. The winners will be revealed on Sunday, May 3rd, at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. We hope you enjoyed getting an insight into some of those players and their thoughts on the season and picking up some of the individual awards as well. You can join us next week on a level playing field podcast. Thank you to Alison McConnell. Thank you to you for listening.