Leanne Ross starts her 100th League game for Glasgow City
Leading the team out on to the field yesterday was Glasgow City Vice Captain Leanne Ross. Not 
only did Leanne help marshall her side to a 3-0 victory over Celtic, but she started her 100th Premier League match for the club,
Leanne first joined City back in July 2007 and since then has won 6 League titles, 3 League Cups and 3 Scottish Cups. She has played every position in a City shirt with the exception of goalkeeper and only 6 other City players, past and present have ever started more games than this true Glasgow City legend.
Captain this season with the absence of Rachel Corsie through injury, Leanne is a true leader and will without doubt be one of the most revered players ever to wear the City orange.
Speaking of her achievement, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, “Considering the women’s league only plays 20 -22 matches then it really shows a remarkable consistency to be selected that often at this club in just under six years. Leanne is mentally very strong and tactically aware, so much so she has filled in a number of areas for us throughout her time here. It takes a strong character to play in a team where the demands are so high. There are also a lot of big personalities in this dressing room and the environment can swallow you up if you are not performing. Therefore it’s to her immense credit that she continues to reach new landmarks at this stage of her career. Her goal ratio has been well documented in the past, but it is worth mentioning again as 118 goals in 99 starts playing in several positions with huge competition for places really is incredible. There is no doubt in my mind that Leanne will finish her career here and can genuinely regard herself as a City great.“
In Sunday’s match programme, Leanne also took time out to answer some questions as our ‘Spotlight Player’. Here is what she had to say about her career so far and what continues to drive a player who has done it all.
1. So, 12 trophies in 6 seasons. You don’t seem to have a bad record at City do you?
I had never won any trophies in the senior game before joining City so yeah, I guess my record here is pretty decent! I’m proud to have played a part in such a successful period in the club’s history......and long may it continue!
2. You have been part of a phenomenal success story at Glasgow City which has seen the club dominate the domestic game in recent years. Everyone asks for the secret. What do you think has been the difference between City and its rivals?
I don’t think there’s any great secret or magic formula to our success. As a club we set high standards for ourselves on and off the pitch. The staff work extremely hard to prepare us for every single game and the players push one another to achieve the standards we expect at training and during games. We also realise that every other team is desperate to take our crown and that in itself motivates us to continue to work as hard as we do.
3. You have enjoyed so many memorable moments in your career. Do you have anything which stands out in particular for you?
It’s really difficult to pick out one particular moment as there have been so many. Obviously every trophy I have won with City has been special, as is every cap I have for Scotland, but I think that as achievements go, beating Valur Reykjavik away from home to reach the last 16 of the Champions League is right up there.
4. You have played every position for City, with the exception of goalkeeper. Would you say your versatility has been your strength in the team over the years? And which position do you actually prefer?
My preferred position is definitely midfield (Eddie & Donald, please take note!!). In all seriousness though I am happy to play any position if it helps the team and also if it means getting a game! I take it as a compliment that the coaches trust me to contribute to the success of the team playing in a number of different positions.
5. You have put so much into your football career and the rewards have been obvious. What continues to drive you?
I have travelled the word, made some great friends and had some amazing experiences all as a result of playing football and I’m not quite ready to give all of that up just yet. There are so many talented young players coming through though so I know that if I want to continue playing for Glasgow City and Scotland I need to continue working hard and achieving the high standards I set for myself.
6. You have scored a number of great and important goals already in your career. Do you have a favourite you can describe to us and tell us why you have picked that one?
That’s a tough one! I guess one goal that means a lot to me is the one I scored against Rangers in the 2010 season to help me break the club record of most goals scored in a season which at that time was held by Suzanne Grant. I don’t remember much about the goal, I think it was a one – two with someone then a shot from the edge of the box, it was just a relief to finally get the goal as I knew I just needed one to break the record and I hadn’t scored in the previous couple of games.
7. What are your ambitions this season?
Last season we were undefeated on the way to winning the domestic treble. It will be difficult to replicate that feat again this season but rest assured we will fight all the way to retain all three of our trophies. The SWPL title is always the number one priority for us as this guarantees us entry into the Champions League. We are always looking to learn and improve from our experiences in Europe and so my ambition on that front would be to qualify from the group stages once again and hopefully get a favourable draw that would give us a good chance of progressing through the knockout stages.
8. Champions League football. Every City player says this is the highlight of their season. What makes it so special?
I think the fact we have won the league and therefore the privilege to represent Scotland in the Champions League makes it really special. It’s a huge step up from our domestic league and it gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against the best teams and players in Europe. The media attention and general hype surrounding the competition also makes it that little bit more special.
9. Who would you rate as the best player you have ever played against or with and why?
It’s difficult to pick just one, playing in the Champions League and for Scotland has given me the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the word including Abby Wambach, Birgit Prinz, Shannon Boxx and Inka Grings to name just a few. In terms of players I have played with, my Scotland team mate Kim Little has to be up there with the top players in the world. Kim is such a talented player who often produces a bit of magic that can turn a game in our favour.
10. If you could invite 3 people for dinner, who would they be and why and what would you cook?
There are plenty of football people that I would love to chat to over dinner but sometimes I think it does you good to get away from football for a while! Alan Carr would be top of my invite list as I think he would be hilarious. His antics on chatty man always have me in stitches! My second choice would be Ant & Dec (I’m counting them as 1) because again I think they would be good for a laugh. My final choice would be Ryan Reynolds for the simple reason that you need some eye candy at the table! My preferred choice of meal would be tapas, not sure how successful that would be if it was left to me to cook though – maybe would get the caterers in for that one!
Pictured: Top - Leanne in recent League action. Bottom - Leanne and Rachel Corsie lift the Henson Scottish Cup. Pics with thanks to Graeme Berry.
29.04.13
