RANGERS right back Rachel McLauchlan, who hopes to win her 13th Scotland cap against Hungary at Hampden tomorrow night, says a dream was fulfilled when she played at the national stadium last month.
All the Scotland women's team 2023 World Cup qualifiers are being played at Hampden for the first time, and McLauchlan's side followed up a 2-0 win over Hungary last month with a 7-1 defeat of the Faroe Islands.
McLauchlan started both games and is line for a third appearance in the Hungarian rematch. Right back has been a problem position for Scotland for a number of years, with several players trying and failing to make permanent claims.
“I would love to cement that place but I've just got to keep working hard and see where that goes.” McLauchlan said. “Playing at Hampden was like a dream come true to be honest - starting a game there was something special.”
Despite only being 24, the attacking defender has already played for four SWPL 1 clubs. Brought up in Avoch in the Black Isle, she joined Aberdeen from Inverness Caley, and then moved to Hibernian, Glasgow City and Rangers. She also had a brief spell at Yeovil Town, who were then in the FA WSL but were demoted two divisions after getting into financial difficulties.
Much of the early travelling, including to Scotland age group camps, was facilitated by her parents and they got their reward when they watched their daughter play at Hampden. Their younger daughter, Sarah, wasn't quite so enthralled.
“It was actually her 18th birthday,” McLauchlan reported. “She's not the biggest fan of football but she stuck that one out for me.
“I did get a bit of stick from her beforehand, but we made up for it the day after and she could do whatever she wanted so it was fine.”
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