'Thank you': Scotland national teams unite to support NHS

The Scotland football men’s and women’s national teams have joined forces to make a substantial donation to NHS Charities Together to support frontline workers.

Captains Andy Robertson and Rachel Corsie are working together to recognise the efforts of nurses, doctors, medical, volunteers, and support staff on the frontline in the fight against coronavirus.

The donation is made up of personal contributions and commercial appearance fees that were due to the respective squads.

Robertson, Scotland Men’s National Team captain: “We have all been at home, taking the advice of medical advisers and watching the news that highlights the heroic efforts of our NHS.

“We have all been inspired by the selflessness of nurses, doctors and all healthcare workers on the frontline – it only reinforces how vital the NHS is to our country and how we must cherish and protect this institution.

“Rachel and the women’s national team were having similar conversations and I am proud that we can demonstrate our solidarity with the wonderful NHS staff in Scotland and across the UK.”
Andy Robertson, Scotland Men’s National Team Captain

“Throughout the squad we have players with friends and family members involved in the NHS, so when the idea was floated around the WhatsApp group chat, it was a no-brainer and unanimously the right thing to do.

“Rachel and the women’s national team were having similar conversations and I am proud that we can demonstrate our solidarity with the wonderful NHS staff in Scotland and across the UK. On behalf of the men’s national team, I say ‘thank you’ to you all.”

All football in Scotland has been cancelled until further notice in response to the spread of coronavirus.

Scotland men’s Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel, originally scheduled to have been played on March 26, was among the matches to be postponed indefinitely.

The play-off matches were shifted to June but a new date will now need to be found when football resumes. The Euro 2020 tournament has been moved to next summer.

Meanwhile, the Women’s European Championships will now take place in the summer of 2022.

Corsie, Scotland Women’s National Team captain, said: “Like Andy and the men’s team, we realised that any money that was due to us through the privilege of playing for our country would be better put together and used to help the country’s fight against COVID-19 and especially to support the incredible efforts of our NHS staff at the front line and those supporting them.”