Lynsey Gallagher hopes to repay Team Scotland’s faith in her by helping the Thistles bring a medal home from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Sirens star has been sidelined in recent seasons by knee injuries, having suffered a lateral meniscus tear, and broke down again last season.
But the 30-year-old, who hails from Newlandsmuir, is in Tamsin Greenway’s 12-strong squad for the Games, and is grateful to be included.
Thistles are in Group A with Australia, Jamaica, South Africa, Wales and Barbados, with the Aussies first up on Saturday, July 30.
But Gallagher says the Thistles aren’t just heading down south to take part.
She said: “We want to put out really solid consistent performances, and we’re there to win, not just to make up the numbers.
“We have to be realistic in our expectations, but there are teams there that we want to target, and we want to put out a performance against those teams.
“There are games that we really want to target, because we know what our hopes and expectations are, as a squad.”
Gallagher says it’s a real honour to be selected for her third Games after appearances at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.
Now she hopes her experience can help the team to success.
The former Duncanrig High School pupil said: “Any selection is special, but I’m still coming back from injury and stuff like that. I’ve been out for the last couple of seasons, so this selection is just a bit different, in terms of the hard work that has been put in to get me back to where I need to be.
“I’ve still got a bit of work to put in, in terms of my rehab but we’re moving in the right direction, and I’m really excited and looking forward to being part of the squad again.
“There has been a bit of faith shown in me, but there was never any doubt that I wasn’t going to work hard.
“I’ve always had that mind-set, that I want to be the best that I can be, and if I’m in a squad I always want to be up there, knowing I can do a job for the team.
“Mentally, if was never really in question if I would push myself to get back to where I need to be, but things change.
“I’ve been out for a long time, there are players coming through and the quality within the squad and wider group as well has really developed.
“All I could do was work hard behind the scenes. I’ve not been within the group, but I’ve been making sure I’ve been ticking all the boxes in my rehab and all the stuff that I need to do to stand me in the best possible stead.
“We’ve not had heaps of time as a squad, but it’s just nice that Tamsin has faith in me, and thinks I have the capability to do a job.
“This is my third Commonwealth Games. I’m maybe fortunate that with that experience, and having been in the squad for that little bit longer, maybe that’s worked in my favour.”
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
