Kirsty Smith Determined To Help Rangers Succeed

KIRSTY Smith wants to help Rangers be successful as she makes the move back north of the border.

The full-back, who has over 60 caps for Scotland to her name, has spent the last eight years down in England but has decided to move back closer to home for the next part of her career.

Speaking to RangersTV in her first exclusive interview with the club, she highlighted her ambitions in Glasgow: “It is really exciting to be part of it now again. It has changed so much since I have been here, which is exciting, and I just want to see how that has come across and how it has evolved.

“They are very ambitious as a club, and I want to be part of that and hopefully help the team be successful this year.

“I know her [Leanne] really well, and she is someone that wants to win, and I have had some experience of her coaching now, and I am excited to work under her, and hopefully we can be successful.

“We want to be successful, but you have got to take each game as it comes.

“I think we have got a really good group here and hopefully that can push us forward and start winning stuff this season.

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In a real standout in her club career to date, the defender spent four years with English giants Manchester United before spells with both West Ham and Nottingham Forest followed. She hopes her experiences of playing against top pros in the WSL will stand her in good stead for the challenge of representing Rangers that awaits.

She continued: “When it came about it was something that I couldn't turn down, playing for a club like that and they were just establishing themselves as well so it was an exciting new adventure and I think for me that was something that pushed me in my career and brought me to where I am now so I am excited to be part of it and just get started.

“It has brought me on as a player testing myself against some of the best in the world, and the WSL is an amazing league, but it is also nice to be back in Scotland and just hopefully be part of this, and I am excited to see where it's at now.

“I have obviously been across the UK at this point, and it has been nice to experience different teams and cultures.

“It is just nice to be back in the Scottish culture and just be part of this now.

“Hopefully I can bring that into the team and experience, leadership and just hopefully help the team be successful.”

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Seeing familiar faces from the national team and with so much experience to her name, the 32-year-old is relishing what’s to come.

She added: “It is nice to know a few familiar faces, and they have welcomed me really well back to Scotland. I am excited to start playing with them again.

“I am so excited for what's to come, and I can't wait to get involved.”