When her current team plays Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup, Rangers player Rachel McLauchlan is eager to return to the place where her professional career started.
When third-tier Caley Thistle Women play current SWPL leaders Rangers in the Scottish Cup’s third round on Sunday, the defender will make his way back to the Highlands.
McLauchlan, who is originally from Avoch on the Black Isle, will be playing in a competitive game in Inverness for the first time since she become professional.
She also acknowledges that if it weren’t for her big break at Inverness City Ladies, who changed their name to Caley Thistle in 2019, her career would not have been feasible.
McLauchlan has now gone on to win ten domestic trophies while playing for Glasgow City, Rangers, and Hibernian.
The 23-time Scotland international spoke warmly about how the north side shaped his remarkable career thus far, ahead of the Gers’ Scottish Cup trip to Caley Thistle.
McLauchlan declared, “This is the life I wanted since I was a wee girl.” After all that, you do need to remind yourself sometimes that you are there.
“I’m really grateful to Inverness for everything they’ve done for me. I started training at a young age and was able to start playing at a specific age.
I learnt so much there and have a lot to be grateful for, starting with them taking me in when I was much younger and taught me the ropes.
“Being a full-time professional has been a great experience so far, and I’m excited to see where it will take me.”
Rangers player appreciates serving as an inspiration to young Highlanders
McLauchlan, who is only 26 years old, still has a lot of goals for her career, but she is aware of how far she has gone since joining Inverness City at the age of 16.
“It is crazy to look back on it and I think at that point I just remember wanting to go as far as I could in the game,” the Rangers defender continued.
I am pretty delighted with how my career has gone so far, but there are still things I want to do. I still want to advance.
“I remember how much I wanted to learn when I was younger, maybe ten years ago, and I was learning from everyone from Inverness.”
“My plot has taken a crazy turn, but it’s exciting to be returning to Inverness.”
When McLauchlan returns to the Highlands, women’s and girls’ football is playing in a far different environment than it was when she rose through the ranks.
Being a role model for the young football players in the community is a strange sensation, she acknowledges, but it’s a duty she is glad to have.
“I think it’s funny that I’m a role model, but I would love to do a good job of showing them what they can achieve,” McLauchlan remarked.
Growing up can be difficult, and although there may not be as many possibilities as there once were, you can still succeed and have a successful career just like those who were born in the Central Belt and have access to the same resources.
Rachel McLauchlan, a defender for the Rangers, spends time posing with supporters. Picture sourced from Shutterstock.
“A couple times when I’ve returned, I’ve witnessed females’ sessions in progress.
It may not seem like much, but I used to play with the boys all the time when I was younger. It was terrible that there weren’t any girls’ teams because it meant that my parents would have to drive me across the nation.
“Seeing things now is excellent and demonstrates how quickly the game is developing.
“Maybe as the game develops, everyone will have the equal opportunity to succeed.
Rangers’ McLauchlan has a task against Caley Thistle.
McLauchlan’s return will be somewhat “bittersweet,” though, as her Rangers team—who hasn’t dropped a game this year—will be going for a Scottish Cup victory.
Despite the fact that her old club is competing in the SWF Championship, two tiers below the first flight, McLauchlan is adamant that Rangers would not take that loss lightly.
“You never know what is going to happen in any situation in any game,” the speaker stated.
Since our return from the Christmas break, the girls have contributed to each training session by working in shifts. We’re eager to start playing again since we’ve prepared like we would for any other game.
“In the end, football is what matters, and we want to go out and win.
“Although it is a little bittersweet, I’m excited for the game.”
At the Caledonian Stadium, Caley Thistle vs. Rangers kickoff is at 1:00 PM. The match requires a contribution to enter.
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