Kelly Clark urges Scotland to build momentum for Women’s World Cup play-off

Scotland defender Kelly Clark is daring to dream as her side continue their preparations for the Women’s World Cup play-offs.

Pedro Martinez Losa’s team round off their group campaign on Tuesday evening against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn, having already secured a play-off place after sealing second spot behind runaway winners Spain.

The Scots will discover their play-off opponents on Friday and Clark is determined to look ahead to the draw in a positive frame of mind.

Speaking about the prospect of reaching next year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand, the Celtic player told the Scottish Football Association website: “It is exciting and it really motivates you.

“You should be allowed to think, ‘What if?’ because qualifying for tournaments like that and having those experiences is why we’re all here.

“No-one in the squad is in any way complacent and there are a few obstacles in the way, but we want to do our jobs against the Faroes and take that momentum into the play-offs.

“When something you want so badly is right in front of you, you do whatever you need to do to take the opportunity.”

Clark got a taste of the tournament when she travelled as a supporter when Scotland qualified for the first time in 2019.

“I went over to France with a group of pals,” she said. “It was my birthday the day they played England. It was an amazing experience.

“I knew a few of the girls – either directly or through playing against them – so to see them walking out, singing the national anthem and be in the crowd for a major tournament… I was emotional, to be honest.

“I loved it. To be part of the squad, when we’re so close, is brilliant.

“You have your own ambitions and you put pressure on yourself but the more Scottish teams achieve, the more it’s normalised and that can only be a good thing for the country.

“I look around our dressing room and see some of the best players in the world, but qualification’s never handed to you. We know we have to earn it and that’s the plan.”