Stornoway native Kirsty Maclean believes island presence helps make Ross County Women stronger as opportunities expand for women to play regularly
Ross County Women are made stronger by players travelling in from the islands to play for them, according to a Stornoway native.
Kirsty Maclean is one of a number of players from the western isles who make the effort to come into the mainland to turn out for the club.
One player even travels from as far as Eriskay, while in a different direction the likes of Abi Coltherd and Reese Flaws come to the Highlands from Orkney.
Maclean, a plumber by trade, thinks that is a good thing for County though, as it means every player will be determined to give their all on the pitch considering the effort it takes just to make it to kick off.
“Even some of the players on the mainland don’t live close to Inverness, so it’s a lot of hard work but really good fun,” the 20-year-old said.
“Everyone gets on really well, and it’s a really good vibe. I suppose it brings us together, because we’ve all travelled so far. We all want to give it our all during matches, because we’ve made so much effort to be there in the first place.
“I used to play in the island’s girls’ team, and for my school team, and I play for the women’s team that competes in the Island Games every two years – we got silver two years ago.
“We entered the Highlands and Islands League in 2019 and won the cup, but we don’t get the chance to play regular games on the island because there’s only one women’s team.
“In the Highlands and Islands League, we were travelling regardless because our ‘home’ pitch was in Ullapool, so when the chance came up to play for Ross County, it was a no-brainer.
“I’m used to the travelling. It gets a bit boring, and it’s tiring, but it’s not too bad.
“Away games are a bit brutal, because if our kick off is at 4pm in Aberdeen, I can’t get home until 6.30am on Monday morning, and then I have to go to work, but I love it. I wouldn’t give up playing football, it’s great fun.”
There has been a rise of footballing talent coming out of the western isles in recent years.
The likes of James Graham, Andrew Macleod, Matthew Wright and Adam Mackinnon have come from the islands to go through Ross County’s academy in recent years, and the latter is now playing with fellow Tong native Keith Bray with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
With women’s football still growing, opportunities have been less rife for girls and women on the islands to do the same, but Maclean is part of a generation that are starting to take those chances.
“There are definitely a lot more opportunities,” she reasoned.
“Before, you would hear of some men’s players going away to play for other teams, but the opportunities weren’t there for the women.
“Now there are loads of us. There are a few of us who play for Ross County, and there’s someone who is at Caley Thistle as well. A lot of the younger girls play for Ross County, which is amazing because in years to come the women’s team will be at a much better standard than it is now.
“I think the main goal is really for us to do well at the Island Games. It depends on what the coaches want, but that’s massive up here, so anything after that is just a bonus.
“It depends on what the person wants as well. If you want to play for big teams on the mainland, then moving away is the first step to progressing yourself.
“I really enjoy it. The players are lovely, and it’s good to get away and travel, and play against different teams.
“The games have been quite hard, but that’s what you need. We had a spell of quite easy games, but you need a challenge to be able to progress and develop yourself.
“If you’re winning every game, it’s not as fun. It sounds good, but there’s no progression there at all, so it’s a bit pointless.”
Although currently out injured with hip and knee issues, Maclean has felt the benefit of challenging herself on the mainland by playing regular football.
She feels she has improved significantly by virtue of playing week in, week out, and she hopes to continue improving to help County progress through the Scottish Women’s Football pyramid in the coming years.
“I would say I have improved, because before I didn’t really have much of a chance to play games,” Maclean added.
“Playing every weekend has definitely improved my skills, and even just the way I read a game.
“When you’re playing all the time you can judge the game better, and make better calls. It’s probably the best way to improve, playing all the time.
“I would love to get into a higher league with Ross County. It would be really cool if we could make it into the Championship, that’s my big goal, but that will take time.
“Anything above that would be unreal. Everyone is really eager to play and move up in the world.”