MANCHESTER, Melbourne and Marta. All three have figured prominently in the recent life of Claire Emslie, who today celebrates her 26th birthday with her team-mates at the golf resort in Murcia where Scotland are based for the Pinatar Cup.

Being away from home on March 8 is par for the course, as from her early teenage years onwards the player was involved in national training camps. On this occasion the skies have been largely and appropriately blue, because Emslie is a woman who likes her sunshine.

The former Hibernian player was deprived of Vitamin D in England, having joined Manchester City in 2017 following a season at Bristol City. But that was preceded by four years at university in Florida – and, after making history by scoring Scotland’s first goal at a women’s World Cup, she returned to the Sunshine State last summer to take up her new employment at Orlando Pride.

Results did not go well, and a side which was already struggling finished bottom of the National Women’s Soccer League. That made for some contrast to her winter loan move to Melbourne City, with the Australian side winning the W-League regular season in her last match there on February 20.

Once the Pinatar Cup is concluded, Emslie will return to Australia for the play-off finals which Melbourne City will also be strong favourites to win. Should that happen she will play in the semi-final and final before jetting back to Orlando for the 2020 season. It’s a tough old life.

There was a spooky reminder of Manchester when Emslie first entered Melbourne’ City’s training facility. It also reveals the incredible attention to detail of the City Football Group, the holding company which has stakes in both clubs as well as others around the world.

“When I got there the building was exactly the same as the Manchester City training centre,” Emslie reports. “It’s just on a smaller scale.

“When I walked in even the reception desk is the same, the clocks are the same, the writing on the wall is the same font and colour. The training pitch is the same, just a different badge.

“It’s very strange, but they are great facilities and it is a great environment to become a better player. Plus the better weather – I loved it.

“The Melbourne girls play the City football way, so it’s the same tactics as I was used to at Man City, the same system. Their men try to do the same, but there’s a bit more of a gap! I felt I was back at Man City to be honest.”

What neither Manchester nor Melbourne have is Marta. The Brazil legend may be 34, and no longer at the peak which brought her six FIFA world player of the year awards, but training alongside her at Orlando Pride – USA star Alex Morgan is also there – has been a joy.

“I can’t imagine how good Marta must have been when she was a bit younger,” Emslie says, eyes lighting up. “She’s my favourite player. I think she’s phenomenal. I could watch her train all day because she’s so skilful.

“Although she’ll maybe not run as fast as she used to, she’ll still have the ball more than anyone else because of her control and touch, and the way she manipulates defenders.

“I challenge her every day to try to do skills and stuff like that. It’s quite fun if I can do one that she can’t. It doesn’t take her long to master it though. Nah, I definitely can’t wait to getting back on the pitch with her.”

One subject isn’t raised when the pair are showcasing their skills. Exactly 11 months ago they played against each other at the Pinatar Arena, venue of this week’s tournament. Scotland emerged 1-0 winners to record a first-ever senior win against Brazil.

“No, I don’t bring that up,” said Emslie, who scored against Ukraine on Wednesday to make it three goals in three games for Scotland. “I respect her too much – I don’t want to upset her.”

The forward, like her great friend and former Hibs and Manchester City team-mate Caroline Weir, made her debut against Iceland in Reykjavik six years and nine months ago. But whereas Weir, who captained the side against Ukraine, now has 70 caps, Emslie has still to reach 30. That was also down to Vitamin D. Emslie wasn’t considered for Scotland duty during her first four-year stint in Florida – the only time she has failed to make hay while the sun shone.