Scotland’s Martha Thomas dreams of journey from ‘a nobody’ to major finals
Thomas grew up in South Florida, the daughter of Scottish mother and British father, but in France, she began to think she could pursue a career in football.
She said: “I saw the opportunity to play when I was paid, it just upgraded from there, and I absolutely love it. I said, I want to do that!
“I started playing and started to really enjoy myself, and that was when I was taken over by West Ham. It was a huge improvement from the 2nd Division of France to one of the top leagues in England, but it was I’m really excited.
The idea of international football is still out of reach.
“I had really low expectations of myself, just wanted to settle down.” “I’m a person to some extent.
“I’m not playing for the national team – I’m from the United States. No one really knows who I am. I just want to be happy and see where it gets me.”
Scotland head coach Shelley Kerr caught her attention.
“I played for the U.S. under 23 team, but when Shelley called me, I just missed the 2019 World Cup window.”
“I think I was in the first training camp after that World Cup and didn’t look back after that, which wasn’t a decision for me.”
Thomas made his debut twice in a 3-0 victory over Ukraine in March 2020 and scored 21 goals in 42 appearances in Scotland.
She has moved from West Ham to Manchester United and then to Tottenham Hotspur, finishing second in the FA Cup in the last two.
However, the qualification to compete in the finals of the big tournament in Scotland will be the highest in career.
“I’m going to be 29 or 30 then and if we can get there, it’s going to be the pinnacle of my career – definitely what I hope this team can achieve and work to achieve.”
A successful national league campaign will help that ambition and the team currently led by interim head coach Michael McArdle has already opposed after losing its opening match in Austria before hosting the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Thomas added: “If you stay in the A League, this can help you get bigger qualifying, which makes this pathway even better.”
“That’s what we want. We want to play these top teams and prove ourselves.’
