MISSING out on Scotland selection in the early years of her career was a low point for Claire Emslie, but the 25-year-old made up for lost time when she scored her side's first-ever World Cup goal against England in Nice. She hopes to repeat the feat against Argentina in Paris tonight.

Emslie, who at the time was with Hibernian, came off the bench to make her Scotland debut in a 3-2 friendly win against Iceland in 2013. The match was notable for two other Hibs players, Caroline Weir and Siobhan Hunter, also making their debuts, and, at the age of 19, her international future looked bright.

Weir, who is one of her great footballing pals, now has 65 caps but Emslie didn't get her second until three-and-a-half years later. Even then it was a brief substitute appearance and she was controversially not selected for the Euros. The winger's Scotland career only took off when Shelley Kerr replaced Anna Signeul after the tournament.

It wasn't lack of ability which caused Emslie's appearances to dry up. Instead, she chose to take up a footballing scholarship in Florida and that didn't sit well with Signeul.

“We had the discussion about how I wouldn't get picked if I went to America,” Emslie recalled. “But I'd played in all the youth teams, so it was always my mindset that if I was good enough I'd get picked again one day.

“I went to Florida and am glad I did, because it was the best experience of my life. By the time the squad for the Euros two years ago was picked I was back playing in England for Bristol City, but still didn’t get in.

“I wouldn't change it, though. I followed my gut and it was the right thing to do. I could have stayed in Edinburgh and gone to university there, but I was four years in Florida, was still only 22, and had my degree in exercise science and health promotion.

“I guess Anna didn't know me well at the time, and with me being so far away she wouldn't get to see me play. Whatever the reason, it was tough to sit out the Euros. I was gutted, but when I saw Caroline Weir and Chloe Arthur there, two of my best mates, I was so determined that next time I'd be with them, whatever it took.”

Emslie had attracted the interest of all the top clubs in England during her brief spell with Bristol and a week after Signeul announced her Euro squad, it was revealed she had signed for Manchester City. It made the decision not to include her in a playing party which had been hit by injuries all the more contentious.

“That gave me something to focus on and look forward to,” the forward pointed out.

History repeated itself when it was announced that Emslie was leaving Manchester City the week after Kerr announced her World Cup squad. The wheel has turned full circle – Emslie has signed for NWSL side Orlando Pride and will join them next month.

The club already has some formidable forwards. They include an absolute legend of the women's game, the Brazilian Marta, plus the USA's Alex Morgan who scored five goals in her side's 13-0 demolition of Thailand to bring her international total to 106. Marta, like Emslie, has also found the net in the France tournament.

“I was coming up of the end of my contract at City, and although there were a few clubs interested, once I heard Orlando were keen that was where I wanted to go.” she explained. “They're a team I’ve always wanted to play for. I know the manager [Marc Skinner, who is ex-Birmingham City], and they have players like Alex Morgan and Marta.

“Plus, I have friends in Florida. It just felt like the right thing to do. The four years I had at Florida Atlantic University were fantastic – I loved the place, the sunshine, and living by the beach.”

Emslie's goal against England, as well as Lana Clelland's in the second Group D game against Japan, could prove important in the shake-up for last 16 places in France. Even if Scotland win tonight, they are likely to have to rely on goal difference to get them to the knock-out stages and a meeting with Germany or the hosts.

“It’s a good challenge,” Emslie said of the game against Argentina at the Parc des Princes. “They've been great defensively, but I love getting at defences and if I get the chance to play I'll give it everything.”

Despite all her travelling, Emslie is appreciative of where she was born and brought up. She honed her skills as a girl on an astroturf pitch in Penicuik and every time she's home, she goes there to practice.

“That park has been such a big part of me being successful and I love it,” she said. “What's even better is that when I was nine, 10 years old I'd be the only girl, but now there's loads and they’ll come and ask for pictures – they know I used to play there as a kid and if that’s inspired them then that’s fantastic.

“It’s actually a terrible surface these days and the community are petitioning to get it relaid, so I’m working with Penicuik Athletic to get that done. If being here at the World Cup can help influence that, I'd have achieved one of my most important goals.”