CALLISTE BROOKSHIRE can’t wait for her first Hampden experience with Rangers.
The Gers are in Scottish Cup semi-final action tomorrow afternoon, taking on Montrose at the National Stadium for a place in the showpiece final on the last Sunday in May, looking to take a step closer to retaining the trophy they have won in each of the past two seasons.
Speaking to the club’s official website to preview the last four clashes, the winger commented: “It seems like a great environment and great pitch, so we are excited.
“Just another opportunity to hopefully book our place in a final to compete for a trophy.
“We are just taking it one game at a time. The semi-final is coming up, and we are all very excited.
“It is definitely going to be unreal. I have seen a couple of pictures, but I am excited to see it in person.
“I know that there will be a good crowd for the game, so that will be exciting.
“Of course, we want to retain it, but we are just focused on this season and what we can accomplish.
“The next step is the semi-final, so that is really the main focus for us.”
Rangers responded to their setback a week passed yesterday with a midweek success over Hibs in league action, as the Greece international praised the response from the squad as she acknowledged the next test they face in front of them with their Sunday opponents.
She continued: “I think we were just happy to come away with three points.
“At the end of the day, we know it wasn't the best footballing game, but we were really proud of ourselves and the composure we had to just finish off the game.
“It got a little scrappy at points, but we are past that, and we are just happy to get away with the win.
“We knew coming into the next training session after Hearts that our main focus was on Wednesday for Hibs. We couldn't dwell on it for too long; it was a disappointment, but to come back and get three points out of the next game was crucial.
“I think the main focus has been on ourselves and what we can do as a full squad.
“Every game is like a final we treat it as, just making sure everyone is available and just be ready for each game as they come.
“Montrose? They are definitely going to be a tough test.
“I think they bring a lot of energy, aggressiveness, and we know we have to give them a lot of respect for the season that they have had.
“Being in a cup semi-final is not easy for any team, so we are going into it with good respect for them, but we just need to focus on ourselves and how we can play.”
Having joined the Light Blues in January, the attacker has made an instant impact in her new surroundings, admitting she is just taking it all in her stride as she targets a successful end to the season with the team.
She added: “I am just having fun with my teammates. They have just made it easy for me to get comfortable on and off the pitch.
“It has just been fun experiencing the post-split action and the craziness of every week; it is something that I look forward to every day.
“They have helped me expeditiously. I don't think it is easy coming in mid-season, but just their support on and off the field has helped a lot.
“It has just gone by so fast, but every single person on the team and in the squad is important right now, in training, making sure the competitiveness and the energy levels are there.
“Sometimes these weeks can be long three-game weeks, so just having that positive mindset and taking each game as it comes.”
You can still be there to back the Gers in the semi-final here, with supporters having to log into their account and using the access code ‘RANGERS_26’ to secure their seats, with kick-off at 1:30pm.
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