Last World Cup captain Rachel Corsie says Scotland have chance to unite the nation

The last player to captain Scotland to a World Cup says Steve Clarke’s side have a chance to unite the nation and give supporters a “euphoric” feeling they’ll never forget.

Rachel Corsie was the skipper of the women’s national team when they competed at the tournament held in France six years ago.

The former Aston Villa and Glasgow City defender is now retired after hanging her boots up for good earlier this year.

And when looking back at a near 20-year career, that included winning 154 Scotland caps and winning six SWPL titles, leading her country to the top level of football is one of the fondest memories.

Reflecting on that historic qualification for the women’s World Cup in 2019, she told STV Sport: “I remember that as the real pinnacle and highlight, and the standout moment is the when the referee blew the whistle in the game that we secured qualification.

“I can very quickly take myself right back there to that moment.

“That period of actually qualifying is such a euphoric feeling, it’s incredible.

“When we started playing senior football, the people watching were just our families, so it hits you quite hard and you feel that it is such a significant moment in something that we all absolutely love.

“With Scotland being at a World Cup, you are going to feel that hype.”

The men’s team have two huge matches coming up against Greece and Denmark as they themselves look to reach next summer’s World Cup.

If they avoid defeat against Greece on Saturday, it will set up a winner-takes-all game against Denmark next Tuesday with a place in North America on the line.

And as the last person to lead a Scotland team out at a World Cup, Corsie had some words of advice for Clarke and his squad.

She said: “Just stick together, and do everything together, and just know that is the most powerful thing.

“When we qualified for the World Cup, we had a really cohesive group that did everything together, so when you get there, the enjoyment is through the roof.”