Andy helps Weir go for Olympic gold

TOKYO GO

Caroline’s off to Olympics with Team GB

Caroline Weir plans to get the inside track on what it takes to win Olympic gold from another Scot who’s got two of the gongs tucked away in his kit bag.

The Scotland playmaker is one of two players from north of the border – Arsenal’s Kim Little is the other – named in the GB women’s squad for Tokyo.

It promises to be the second great adventure for the Fifer following her shot at the FIFA World Cup with Scotland in 2019.

But after signing up to tennis star Andy Murray’s management company last year, she’ll be tapping into him for tips on what it takes to top the podium.

The Manchester City star, 25, said: “Andy’s been great. Obviously I work with him and his agency and he’s been a great mentor to me over the last 12 months.

“Any kind of questions or advice I need from him, whether it’s performance, psychological, whatever it might be, he’s at the end of the phone and he’s been really helpful.

“And so I’m sure I’ l l be asking him a little bit about his Olympic e x p er ienc e s going forward. He’s been great and really positive.”

While Little was part of the GB team that reached the last eight at London 2012, it’s Weir’s first go at representing the UK after 77 caps and 12 goals for Scotland.

It’s no secret the SFA washed their hands of a combined side – claiming it will spark calls to make the four home nations play as one all the time.

But you don’t sense Weir sees anything off about being part of an 18-strong squad with 15 English team-mates – and interim England boss Hege Riise as head coach.

She said: “It’s a different dynamic obviously with it being Team GB but I’m a really proud Scot and a really proud Brit and to be involved in this squad is a huge honour.

“But there’s a lot of Man City players in it and I’ve played with quite a few of the others as well. There’s only two or three I don’t real ly know, so it makes it easier.”

The Brits kick off t h e i r O l ymp i c campaign in Sapporo a ga inst Chi le on July 21 with Canada and Japan also in their firstround group.

Th e h e a d a c h e - inducing list of Covid protocols in place means there will be no marching in opening and closing ceremonies, no starspotting in the Athletes Village and enough cotton buds shoved up noses to make their eyes water.

But after talks with Riise this week, Weir reckons she can live it up on the pitch and write a slice of history.

She said: “I’m constantly challenging myself to go up a level for both club and country.

“At club level, I ’ m fortunate to play with so many good players and with Scotland, reaching major tournaments.

“So I’m always trying to push up the level and keep achieving things. And obviously, the Olympics is one of those things.”