Keeper Lee learns from the drop in Sweden
Lee Alexander insists she’s a better goalkeeper for experiencing her first taste of relegation last season – in Sweden.
The 25-year-old, from Stewartfield, has rejoined Glasgow City after leaving the Scottish Champions in 2015 to pursue a professional contract with Mallbackens.
Alexander won 13 trophies in five seasons with Glasgow City, but instead of battling for silverware the former Calderglen High School pupil found herself in a relegation dogfight.
While her year in Scandinavia didn’t go to plan – Mallbackens were relegated from the top flight on the final day of the season – Alexander believes she has returned to City a much-improved player for the experience.
She told the News:“It was really good for my development out there.
“I experienced playing in a different country with a different culture and played a different style of football to what I’m used to. “It’s made me a much better player. “Being at Glasgow City I was never too busy in league matches, but in Sweden I was always called upon and we were fighting for every point.
“It was good to challenge myself more physically in terms of cross balls and aerial battles. Over there, they like to get the ball into the box early and learning how to deal with that has helped me develop as a goalkeeper.
“From being on top with Glasgow City and winning games comfortably, to scrapping for points every week was a big change, but it was great experience playing in a professional league. I’ve improved different aspects of my game and I feel I’m stronger technically and tactically since I left Glasgow City.”
Now she is gearing up for a sixth campaign with Scott Booth’s side after the club clinched their 10th league title last term. The season kicks-off in February with the League Cup before the league gets underway in March.
But Alexander hopes to improve on the European scene where, ironically, City were knocked out in the last 32 by Swedish side Eskilstuna United, back in October.
“This is a big season for us,”she insisted. “The Champions League performances last season were not what we wanted, so hopefully we can really push on in that competition this year. It’s great to be back and I want to help the team continue to be successful.”