Scotland captain Caroline Weir spoke to the media ahead of her country’s World Cup qualifying double-header against Luxembourg next week.
Here are the highlights from the press conference:
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Ware called being awarded the captaincy by head coach Melissa Andreata “the honor of my career.” She said every appearance for the team so far had been an honor but she was “humbled and excited” by the new permanent role.
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The midfielder said she was surprised Andreatta chose her after the head coach assessed her options despite having represented Rachel Corsi in the past. “It’s a very exciting moment and my family is very proud of it,” Will said.
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She has many goals as captain and player, but reaching the World Cup is the “primary goal.”
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Weir expects it to be a tough game, with games against Belgium, Israel and Luxembourg, saying: “It’s going to be tough. As we’ve seen in the past, these games are always tough, but I think we’ve done a lot of groundwork and we’re well prepared so far.”
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The skipper said the squad are “very motivated”, know they need to be “at their best” and feel refreshed under Andreatta’s management.
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Following their last defeat, Weir said the team was determined but they would not let previous defeats take their toll. “We have to be careful not to focus too much on this, but at the same time use it as a little bit of motivation. I don’t think we need those past events to push us forward.”
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She reflected on her experience in 2019, saying that as a young player she had a “different role” and “having qualified for the European Cup and the World Cup before that, I probably thought that was it – every big tournament, we would be there”.
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Weir said she has matured as a player and a senior figure on the team and does not see this as her last chance to lead the team to the World Cup. “I’m going to be 31 this year, but I’m feeling great physically. It’s probably the best I’ve ever been, mentally as well. As far as I’m concerned, 2027 is here.”
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She also recalled watching the men’s team advance to this year’s final with her Danish teammates during her time at Real Madrid, calling it “awesome” and “cool to watch.”
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Will, who plans to travel to watch the team play Brazil this summer, said she likes it when our national team excels in any aspect.
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Successfully leading Scotland to the World Cup would “be everything to me. Of course you think about that image. To play for your team and then take them to the World Cup, there’s no higher honor than that. That’s what you think about when you’re running around your garden. It would be the absolute highlight of my career.”