Scotland ‘have the quality’ to return to majors – retiring Corsie

The next generation of Scottish players, according to captain Rachel Corsie, “undoubtedly” have the “quality” to compete in women’s major tournaments.

The 35-year-old will retire as the Scots wrap up their Nations League A campaign on Friday against Austria in the Netherlands and on Tuesday against Austria, both of which will be broadcast live on the BBC.

Scotland made their first, and only, World Cup appearance in 2019, two years after reaching Euro 2017, under the direction of the defender, who hasn’t played for the national team since July.

The task of returning the Scots to the top of the table is now in the hands of new head coach Melissa Andreatta, who has failed to qualify for the previous three major competitions.

The opportunity they have to “just refine their skills,” Corsie, who has just left Aston Villa, said, “sets them up for hopefully great things,” Corsie said.

“Undoubtedly, there is talent there.” Do you think our standards are high? Yes.

However, having the mindset that “I want to be the best and I want to be a part of a team that’s the best is what I think is most important.”

The 154-cap defender made her decision on Monday, which she has been considering for a while.

Corsie, who spent the majority of the season with a knee injury, acknowledged that qualifying for this summer’s Euros in Switzerland was “the biggest target.”

Without their captain, the Scots in Finland failed to accomplish that, so the Aberdeen native’s international debut in 2009 came to an end.

She said, “It’s difficult to know how I feel.” “I was genuinely so nervous driving to camp, but yesterday’s announcement was a really emotional day but a really nice day.”

Corsie, whose professional career began with Glasgow City and ended with seven Scottish league titles, stated that she still wants to play football in some capacity beyond that time.

She has conducted interviews for the BBC, including at Euro 24, and co-hosts the Behind the Goals podcast with former teammate Leanne Crichton. She has also tried her hand at coaching.

Although she is aware that a break is necessary first and foremost, there is nothing specific yet about what the future holds.

She smiled and said, “I’m definitely going to take some time off and I don’t know how that’s going to turn out,” adding that it might be the most difficult part.

However, I’m going to take a few weeks off for a vacation, shut off my phone as much as I can these days, and just enjoy it because summer is never quite summer for professional athletes.

“I want to play a certain role in football,” I said. It’s so lovely.