Scotland captain Rachel Corsie says its 'hugely important' that women's game continues to grow

Scotland captain Rachel Corsie says it’s “hugely important” that the women’s game continues to grow for future generations as they prepare to test themselves against the Auld Enemy.

The Aston Villa defender was the lead claimant in the employment tribunal case as players sought a contract with governing body SFA to ensure equal pay and treatment compared to their male counterparts on issues such as training facilities, hotels, travel, kit plus medical and nutritional resources.

Legal action against the SFA was withdrawn last week after an agreement was reached on equality and pay for players.

And with the national team set to take on England in their opening Nations League game on Friday, Corsie says she is excited about the direction the game is going.

Speaking to the press on Monday, the 34-year-old, who has 140 international caps, said: “We have good a mix in the squad, there is some young players coming through that are a massive reflection on how the game has grown, but we also have a lot of players now who have been real advocates for how the game has developed in the last five, ten, 15 years.

“I’ve personally seen huge changes and growth during my time being involved in senior football and the national team and I think the outcome of this week is that we are in a place of hopefully moving forward we are only going to have the best opportunity to perform to our best and for me, as an athlete, that is something I think is huge.

“As I say I have been part of a generation where there has been that change, which I think is exciting and is going to continue in that direction, but now knowing that there is younger players coming through that will have a different experience, I think that’s hugely important.”

On Friday Pedro Martinez Losa’s side will travel south to take on the European champions and World Cup finalists at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

And while Corsie is under no illusions of how big a test it will be against one of the in-form teams in women’s football, it is one she and the rest of the squad are relishing.

She said: “It’s a new competition and in the group we have we are playing some really top nations, so there’s going to be a lot demanded of the players. It’s good to be back in camp, just about everyone has arrived now, players travelling from near and far now and we are looking forward to it.

“It’s exciting, for us the last campaign didn’t achieve what we wanted to and I think when you look at all the teams around Europe, England are the ones that have constantly performed as one of the best so you have to look forward to that.

“Naturally there is a rivalry and the fans and everyone will build that up, for us as players it’s a game we will relish because it’s an opportunity to really test ourselves and we want to make sure we are in a really good place come Friday.”