JO POTTER is looking forward to the ‘great test’ facing Arsenal will bring having drawn them in this afternoon’s UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
Rangers will take on the English side at Meadow Park at the beginning of September as part of the mini-tournament with the other semi-final being contested between Atletico Madrid and Rosenborg.
Speaking to RangersTV giving her reaction to the draw, the head coach wants the team to enjoy the opportunity as they get set for their second experience of European football as a club.
She said: “My thoughts on the draw? I don't know if I am a little bit weird but I quite like it.
“You either want to go let's give us the best possible chance and you probably want to draw against the lowest ranked seeded teams or you want to have a go against the best.
“Arsenal and Atletico are definitely two of those. We all know what Arsenal are about, they are a great team.
“They have got history in that tournament as well; it is not going to be easy but it will be a great test for us and it is a good chance for us to really go and have a go.
“We missed out on Champions League football last year so we have got to make sure we enjoy it and we have got to make sure we prepare properly for Champions League football and prepare properly for the best teams in Europe.”
The former Lioness says the team will have to be ready for the challenge but hopes it will stand them in good stead as they target a positive start to their season.
She continued: “That is what we have been working for, we always try to work ahead of ourselves.
“We probably will be coming in a few weeks ahead of those teams as well because their league doesn't start until a month or so after ours does so we have got a head start.
“We need to make sure we use it, we need to make sure we are prepared and ready to go, we've been on the pitch and we do the work that we need to do, but we have got a long-term vision in that process as well.
“We have got to make sure we do well in the Champions league, at least put on a performance and play well for ourselves and who knows what can happen and that should hopefully set us up for the league campaign moving forward.”
Potter has connections to the Gunners having spent a season there in her playing career, as she praised her European opponents for their mark they’ve made on the women’s game.
She added: “It has been some years past since there but I have always held Arsenal very close to my heart.
“I had some nice years there, won some of my first trophies there, I know what such a great club they are and I know how well they treat their women's team and respect their women's team and you can see that.
“When you look and you see that they are selling out the Emirates every time they play there it is unbelievable. What they are doing within the women's game they are sat right at the forefront of it.
“It will be brilliant to go down there and be a part of a little bit of that and hopefully put on a show.”