Lee: My World Cup dream has come true
...it’s just taking a while to sink in
Lee Alexander admits leading Scotland to their first World Cup still hasn’t sunk in.
The Glasgow City goalkeeper helped the women’s national team to a 2-1 victory over Albania last week to top their qualification group and book their place at next summer’s finals in France.
It sparked jubilant scenes as players and boss Shelley Kerr celebrated becoming the first Scotland side to reach a World Cup finals since the men’s team opened France 98 against Brazil.
But a week on from their monumental achievement, Alexander is still in a state of shock. The 26-year-old, who hails from Stewartfield, said: “It still feels pretty raw, it’s almost as if it hasn’t happened.
“Even on the pitch we didn’t really know exactly what was happening until the final whistle went.
“It was just raw emotion at the end. You wanted to cry, but you couldn’t cry. There was shock...everything was bundled into one, but I didn’t know what to do with myself because there was so much disbelief.
“We were so happy for one another. It’s a memory I will never forget.
“It’s the best one I’ve had in football – and probably ever will – because I don’t think anything will be able to match it. The whole experience was a bit of a whirlwind and even being back home and saying it out loud, it doesn’t seem like it’s a reality yet.”
The former Calderglen High School pupil has won everything domestically with Glasgow City, claiming 14 trophies, and guided them to their 11th league title in a row last season.
She played in the Women’s Champions League, played professionally in Sweden and was part of the Scotland squad at the 2017 Euros, although she never featured.
So does reaching the World Cup top the lot?
“100 per cent,” she says emphatically.
“When it comes to wearing the national jersey and every time you get a call-up, it still feels like it’s the first time.
“To then go further and come out on top in a qualifying campaign on the very last day as group winners, cementing your place at a World Cup, is just incredible.
“It’s a cliché, but it is what you dream of as a young kid.
“It’s a pinch yourself moment, a great achievement and one I’m very proud of.”
As Alexander triumphed and claimed a 12th cap for her country, mum Lynn, dad David and sister Katie all witnessed the achievement on TV.
And she paid tribute to her family for helping her achieve her dreams.
“My parents are on holiday and they aren’t back until the end of September, so I haven’t seen them yet, but they’ve been great,” she said.
“They’ve been great supporters of me along the way and they’ve sacrificed a lot in terms of when I was younger, taking me to games.*
Read more from Alexander on Scotland’s achievement in next week’s News.