Freezing by the Mersey is better than Oz and Disney
After playing for Orlando Pride and Melbourne City, it’s certainly not the weather that has brought Claire Emslie to play for Everton in England’s Women’s Super League.
Emslie should have been back in action today, but Everton’s clash with league leaders, Manchester United, has been postponed due to the Toffees not having enough available players because of injuries and a Covid- 19 outbreak involving five women over Christmas.
But it was the chance to play in a league that has carried on, despite the problems of Covid- 19, that has persuaded the Scotland international to make her loan move a permanent one.
She was a regular visitor to Orlando’s Disney World and loved the Australian way of life during her spell in Melbourne, but the WSL has become the pinnacle in the women’s game.
However, training in freezing conditions under the leadership of fellow Scot, Willie Kirk, is a far cry from what the 26-year-old winger has been used to.
“I left Scotland at 18, so I hate the cold now,” said Claire.
“I ’v e got so many layers on at training, the girls make fun of me! I’ve even been wearing these wetsuit gloves as they are the only way to keep my hands warm!
“But this is a great time to be in the WSL, with all the foreign players and US World Cup stars who have come here.
“It’s brought a lot of attention, and it’s probably the best competition in the world right now.
“By and large, we are still playing every week. Other leagues have been cancelled or delayed.
“I initially came on loan as the 2020 season in America was cancelled. I loved it in Orlando and lived 20 minutes from Disney.
“I used to go about three times a week! I’d pop in for an hour and go on a couple of rides. It was brilliant!
“But Orlando played four games in the whole of their season. I played four games in the first couple of weeks here.
“So to be offered a permanent deal now with what’s going on in the States, and with the exciting plans at Everton, it was a no-brainer.”
Emslie achieved the honour of becoming the first Scotswoman to score in a World Cup when she netted in the 2- 1 defeat by England in Nice in June, 2019.
The Edinburgh girl was moved to tears by the men finally qualifying for a major tournament with the shoot- out success in Serbia in November, and she can’t wait for this summer’s Euros.
“Playing at the World Cup, you could just feel a sense of pride – even though we lost to England and didn’t get out of the group,” she admitted.
“In the months leading up to it, you trained h a rd e r because you wanted to be there.
“I’m sure the men’s squad will all now have the same mind-set.”