Booth hails Lauder on return for City

GLASGOW City head coach Scott Booth has Scotland midfielder Hayley Lauder available for this afternoon’s Women’s Champions League last-32 tie against Somatio Barcelona in Limassol.

Today’s opponents were formed less than three years ago, but in that short time have replaced Apollon Ladies as the pre-eminent side in Cyprus.

Lauder missed City’s qualifying group matches, and also Scotland’s two recent World Cup qualifiers, with a calf strain. She was re-introduced to the side in the 3-0 SBS SWPL1 win against Stirling University on Sunday, coming on at half-time and scoring the third goal.

“She’s looking sharp, but we have to handle her with care,” Booth pointed out.

Lauder is no stranger to football in Cyprus, having been contracted by Apollon for their Champions League campaign in 2011, scoring five goals.

Somatio’s accelerated rise has been accompanied by financial backing and their squad is sprinkled with players from the United States and Africa.

Booth has identified two of them, American striker Krystyna Freda and Ivory Coast internationalist Rebecca Elloh, who plays on the left wing, as the main threats to his side today.

“Elloh is quick, dribbles past players for fun, likes to get on the end of things and score goals,” the former Aberdeen and Scotland striker (above) said. “She combines really well with Freda, who is a good goalscorer through the middle.”

The American, who is 24, scored two goals in each of Somatio’s three qualifying group games.