TIME FOR NEW STARS TO SPARKLE
Hayley backs Scots young guns to fill the gap left by veteran heroes retiring
HAYLEY LAUDER reckons Scotland have more than enough fresh talent to fill the void left by the departure of big-name veterans.
Skipper Gemma Fay retired from international football this week after making 203 appearances.
Fellow stalwarts Ifeoma Dieke and Leanne Ross have also decided to hang up their dark blue jerseys following this summer’s Euro finals.
With new boss Shelley Kerr now at the helm, Lauder – who has 86 caps – says it’s the start of a new era for the Scots women as they look to build on past successes.
The midfielder said: “After a major championship it’s natural a few players will decide that’s it for them.
“But for the players coming through, and the youth groups, it’s a chance to show what they’ve got now there are spaces in the team.
“It’s definitely a fresh start. There are new players coming in who have been on the periphery before.
“And with Shelley coming in it’s fresh eyes and new ideas and it’s a new era for all of us.
“We’ve got a good group going in to the World Cup campaign and we just need to get a feel for what Shelley is looking for in the warm-up games. It will be a fresh start for all of us.”
The Glasgow City star is looking forward to working with Kerr, starting with next month’s friendly against Hungary.
Lauder added: “We’ve got a five-day trip to Hungary coming up with a game in there.
“It’s the first time we’ll get to work with Shelley as a group and we will be using that time wisely to really bed in some new ideas.
“I’ve worked with Shelley a few times over my career. I know she’s passionate and hard working and she has strong ideas.
“She will really try to get the best out of us as a team.” Lauder was part of the Scotland squad at the Euros and says the whole experience has only made the players hungrier for more big tournament action.
She said: “It was amazing. It was our first major tournament and such a good experience to be there.
“We were disappointed with a couple of our results but we have fantastic memories and it’s an experience that can only push us forward as a team.
“It definitely lived up to my expectations. Everyone had their families over in Holland and it was such a good time for everyone. We tried for so long to get to a finals and there were a few near misses.
“Now we have actually been there it has to be our goal going forward to be at more.” Lauder is also looking forward to a return to league action, with City chasing an 11th title in a row.
She said: “We’re in a decent position in the league – a couple of points behind Hibs with a game in hand. “It’s neck and neck between us at the moment and it’s been like that for the last few years. There’s a rivalry there that’s healthy and competitive and it pushes the players on.”
With Shelley coming in it’s fresh eyes and new ideas – a new era for all of us