Kenny vows he’ll play
more delighted for the girls who have actually got us there.
After all, the team that I played in helped get this group to Euro 2017. I really believe that – because for all those years, we pushed the women’s game on.
Now it feels like that wasn’t for nothing. It was about helping to produce the players who make up the national team now as well as bringing on younger players.
I have so many friends in this team and know what they give up on a daily basis for Scotland. So I’m thrilled for them.
And it’s great for football in Scotland to get a bit of success.
The women’s side are massive fans of the men’s team – they follow them in every game.
So it’s not a case of “We’ve made it, you’ve not”. It’s about doing the country proud, saying “We’re going to the Euros”– and hoping the men’s team can do the same in the 2018 World Cup.
The women have used the low points – and there have been many – to drive them on achieve a real high.
I’ve already been in touch with the girls. I’m still part of the Whatsapp group with the squad and there were a few Snapchats coming through on Friday.
The squad play Iceland in their final qualifier on Tuesday night.
I’m pleased they were at the hotel together with the people who helped get them there. It’s a nice way to qualify.
It would have been a fly on the wall the moment that Portugal result came through.
Now they can really look forward to the Euros.
I’d love to support the team in Holland. I always back Scotland but the fact it’s my friends who are playing makes it even more special. I didn’t qualify myself as a Scotland player but, fingers crossed, I’ll be there to cheer them on next summer. Kenny McLean admits he needs to up his game to persuade Scotland boss Gordon Strachan to bring him back into the international set-up.
The Aberdeen midfielder, capped in the win against the Czech Republic last March, has dropped out of the reckoning as Strachan has turned to others to boost his engine room.
But McLean insists he’ll work harder to show Strachan he’s good enough for a recall. McLean, who’ ll face Dundee at Dens Park today, accepts the battle for places in the Dons side has become tougher since boss Derek McInnes brought in new faces.
And he was disappointed at being left at home a fortnight ago as the Scots beat Malta 5-1 in their opening World Cup qualifier.
McLean said: “Everybody will tell you that they would rather be away on international duty than having a break.
“I’m no different after getting the chance to play for Scotland last season as that was great.
“That’s what you work towards as a professional footballer and it was special to represent my country.
“Of course, there have been a few squads since then and I haven’t been involved – but that’s up to me.
“I don’t think I’ve hit the standards