Beattie vows she won’t miss out again
Scotland defender’s pain at watching Arsenal team-mates at Euros
SWe need to get to this World Cup. We just want to be there
COTLAnD defender Jen Beattie admits the pain of missing the last major tournament is as important as her memories of France 2019 as she looks to get her country to another World Cup.
The Arsenal centre-back had mixed emotions watching on as some of her friends and colleagues fired England to European Championship glory during the summer.
The 31-year-old and her Scotland team-mates can move the country a step closer to reaching the next big event in women’s football in the shape of next year’s finals in Australia and new Zealand when they take on Austria in the first phase of their play-off campaign at Hampden on Thursday.
Should they prevail, they will face the Republic of Ireland five days later in the play-off final.
Even that may not guarantee a place at the 2023 World Cup, however.
Two of Europe’s three winning finalists progress, with the third facing an Inter-Continental playoff in new Zealand in February.
The thought of missing out again, though, is unbearable for Beattie after watching an unforgettable summer for women’s football play out.
‘I managed to get to a few games at the Euros and support my Arsenal team-mates,’ she said. ‘It was incredible being at the stadium and watching them not just perform well, but succeed.
‘There was such a sense of pride that we play with them at club level but a huge part of that was missing out. Knowing we had qualified for 2017, 2019 and missing that, and it being such a huge spectacle — especially in England — was really tough.
‘As much as it was amazing to see, it is bittersweet too because nobody wants to be a spectator in that environment. You want to be on the pitch. You want Scotland to be there. That’s what was happening on the group chat the whole summer — we need to get to this World Cup.’
Beattie was part of the squad that played in 2019 and emulated her father, former Scotland rugby union international John Beattie, by scoring at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
‘They are just special memories. So many moments happened in that World Cup,’ the former Manchester City player said.
‘To still be able to say to my friends that I have played at a World Cup and having family there. I will never forget walking out and playing England in nice and having my parents in the crowd. not many things can beat that.
‘One of my favourite ever memories was scoring against Argentina on the exact same pitch where my dad scored a try playing for Scotland. For that to happen is just unheard of.
‘To have those memories makes it an even bigger challenge to try to get to another World Cup.’
Beattie is also relishing the chance to inspire Scotland’s girls to aim high and encourage the same growth that has taken place south of the border following the Lionesses’ triumph.
‘Being a professional footballer when I was a kid didn’t exist,’ she said. ‘To now have that role is such a huge privilege. It’s amazing that kids look up to us in that way and see women footballers have that exposure and play at this elite level. It’s incredible to see the momentum it has.
‘It’s a huge responsibility and it’s up to us to take ownership of that and make sure we give as much back as the fans give us.
‘It’s important to recognise the crowd when we finish games and go and give signatures and give away shirts because they are the ones that are coming out to support us and that means everything.’
Austria lost at the quarter-final stage to Germany this summer, with two of Beattie’s Arsenal colleagues, goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger and full-back Laura Wienroither, offering daily reminders of their own ambitions at next summer’s World Cup.
‘There was chat in the dressing room,’ said Beattie. ‘Katie McCabe [Republic of Ireland captain] was piping up too but I was avoiding her as we can’t even think about Ireland at this stage.
‘We all want to be part of it. The banter was fine but it has stopped now the competition is so close.
‘Austria have performed well at tournaments over the last few years and are similar to us in that they are new to tournament football.’
Tickets for Thursday’s game at Hampden are still available. You can buy them at: http://scotfa.co/swnttkt