THE re-emergence of Nicola Docherty as an international player has been one of the encouraging aspects of Scotland's World Cup preparations so far this year. The Glasgow City left-back has staked a strong claim for inclusion in the squad which will travel to France.
Docherty, who won her 17th cap in the 1-1 draw against Chile at the Pinatar Arena on Friday night, looked to have a big future when she made her debut as a substitute in a 7-2 hammering of Finland in 2011. That was cemented when she featured in six games, including Cyprus Cup starts against the Netherlands and South Korea, in 2014 – but she then sidelined by Anna Signeul and played just twice more before returning to the side against Norway in January.
“Anna always wanted me to get fitter, and I probably agreed with that,” Docherty admitted. “When you're coming up against teams like Holland you know you're not quite at that level yet.”
Signeul's departure after the Euros, and replacement by Shelley Kerr, didn't immediately improve matters, but the 26-year-old was recalled to the squad for the friendly against the USA in November. Aided by the absence of Arsenal left back Emma Mitchell, she has played in five of the six games in 2019, was a stand-out in the Algarve Cup, and is in line for another appearance against Brazil at the Pinatar Arena tomorrow night.
So what has changed? Growing confidence for sure, but the pacy defender, who likes to overlap and delivers a fine cross, is stronger and fitter after being released from her day job and being put on a full-time training regime with the rest of Scotland's domestic World Cup hopefuls.
Prior to January her daily routine was mountainous, allowing almost no time for rest and recovery.
“I've been with a company called Life Care in Edinburgh for the last three years,” Docherty explained. “I work with clients who have dementia.
“I go into their houses, make them a cup of tea and some lunch, sit down with them and have a chat. It can be quite a sad job, but at the same time it has benefits because they enjoy someone coming in and I bond with them.
“They're supportive of my football too, because a lot of them are big Hibs fans.”
All of which would be fine in itself, except that Docherty lives in Falkirk and was getting up at 6am to be in a gym in Edinburgh for 7am as part of a Scottish Institute of Sport programme. She then spent the day at work before returning to Falkirk and heading west for evening training at Glasgow City.
“With the full time programme you get a longer lie,” Docherty pointed out. “You go to the gym at 10am, get on with your day, and then go training at night time. The morning sessions with Shelley have been good as well.”
In return Kerr has got herself a left back who is fulfilling the potential shown when she was a member of the head coach's Scotland under-19 side. The class of 2010 qualified for their Euro finals in Macedonia.
Docherty admits she had little option but to stay positive when it seemed the international rug had been swept away from her in the middle of the decade. “Of course it can be frustrating, but I'm still only 26,” she pointed out.
“I thought if I kept playing well for Glasgow City something would surely give at some point. I kept focusing on getting stronger, fitter and playing well for my club.”
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