Clelland can’t wait for Scotland to call again
GiveSaints pieatry oncup finalday
Lana Clelland is determined to create more special memories with the national team.
The Perth professional, who plays for Fiorentina in Italy, has not travelled with the Scotland squad for Euro 2022 qualifiers against Cyprus and Portugal this month.
Interim head coach Stuart McLaren called Clelland to let her know there was too much of a risk to have overseas players travel for the matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both games will take place in Cyprus.
It was a decision the former
Perth Grammar School student understood and now she is focused on earning future call-ups.
“It’s obviously disappointing to miss out but it was really nice to get the call from Stuart to explain the situation which is completely understandable and not risking our own health is really important,” Clelland told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“It’s always an honour to represent my country so any given chance I will give my all to that shirt. Hopefully the future is full of opportunities for me to make that happen.
“Until then I will keep working hard to try and get back in the picture and hope the COVID situation passes soon.”
Clelland represented Scotland at the World Cup in France back in 2019 and still holds a special goal against Japan close to her heart.
Returning to a major finals with the national team is the plan and she added: “My goal against Japan is still my favourite to date, a moment I will take with me for the rest of my life.
“But hopefully there will be more moments in the future that can equal that feeling.”
On the club front, Clelland (28) is focused on putting in the hard work to pick up more minutes with Fiorentina.
“The last few months with the club have been difficult,” she admitted. “I’ve come back really well this season since the injury and am performing in training.
“But the lack of opportunities given on the pitch is difficult to take sometimes. It’s all a part of the game.
“I keep my head down and continue to work hard every day to be ready when given my chance.”
There is a Champions League last 16 tie against Manchester City on the horizon and among their ranks is Scotland star Caroline Weir.
Clelland said: “It’s always going to be a difficult draw in the last 16 so we just look for a new experience and to challenge ourselves.
“It will be an interesting game and will be good to see a couple of familiar faces as well.”
It’s now more than six years since Clelland first moved over to pursue a football career in Italy. It has been a successful journey. “I can’t believe six years have already passed,” she said. “I still remember the first day like it was yesterday.
“But I’ve grown so much as a person and as a player in that time and love life out here. You never know what can happen in the future but Scotland will always be home.”
St Johnstone fans keen for a half-time treat during next week’s Betfred Cup final best get their orders in sharp-ish. The Hampden showdown with Livingston on Sunday, February 28 will be played in front of no spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But supporters can still make a day of it from the comfort of their own home and Saints are keen to make the final experience a special one for all.
Pie orders can be made by the half dozen and customers can choose from steak and gravy, steak and chorizo, macaroni, chicken curry or scotch.
The box of six, which comes in at a price of £12, can be broken down in any way you choose and must be ordered in advance.
Sleeves of Bovril can also be added to the order.
The sleeves come in 10s and cost £10 per sleeve.
All orders must be paid for in advance and there will be no cash or card sales on the day of collection. The order deadline is 4pm on Wednesday, February 24.
Pies will need to be collected between noon2pm on Saturday, February 27 from McDiarmid Park and social distancing will be enforced.
To order, send an email to AdamOmeish@perthsaints. co.uk and include your name and a contact telephone number so the club can get in touch to arrange payment.