The former player has struck up a friendship with Gers midfielder Tessel Middag whose postgraduate dissertation project specifically focused on the history of football in Scotland.
McAulay was Scotland’s first-ever women’s captain and part of the national team in their game against England back in 1972 in a fixture they lost 3-2, playing over 20 times for her country she reflected on her debut and the feeling of leading out the team.
She said: “It was a day where the park was hard, it was slippy, we didn’t even know the team until we were almost walking onto the park. They named the team, the goalkeeper number one as such, I normally played as six, so when it came to six and they went past it and it wasn’t me, then they got right up to nine, and I thought I guess I am not good enough, and then 10 was Margaret McAulay.
“I was overjoyed sitting there, but the biggest shock of all was when they named the captain and it was Margaret McAulay. I was flabbergasted, there is nothing bigger than being captain of your Scotland team.”
Getting to witness the modern-day training facilities in Scotland, the lifelong Rangers supporter was grateful for the opportunity to witness the day-to-day routine of a full-time footballer.
She continued: “I was over the moon for the opportunity, I can’t play for Rangers’ professional team but this more than makes up for it. For me to get this opportunity to see this, anything I do for Rangers I am just blown away.
“It is a dream for me, getting down and meeting all the ladies players and seeing how much football now has progressed and all the different things that they do that years ago we never even thought of.”
McAulay has highlighted what she hopes to see in the future of the Scottish game as she compared what it is what like playing in her days as a footballer compared to the modern era now.
She added: “I would like to see it keep progressing, they have still not got enough money to back the women’s games, that is what you need. We were short of money, we had to do everything ourselves. We didn’t have a physio or proper coaches to do what the players do today, that halts the progression of it, they will need to put more money into it.
“I am proud of how Scotland is going, but we could go further if we had the backing. I am absolutely jealous that I was born at the wrong time, this would be out of this world, you would have to drag me out of the Training Centre because I have got the determination to go as far as I can go, and I am not one for stopping.
“I am a perfectionist so that would carry me, I would have loved the chance that these guys have got. They said I was a decent footballer then and how far I could have gone if I had the right backing and the right coaching.
“I am always willing to learn no matter what, I always say to people if you get advice don’t just throw it away thinking you know better. Think about it, try it and then decide whether it is good advice or advice that is not for you.”
Women’s midfielder Tessel Middag commented on the relationship she has struck up with the former captain and how it was an honour to bring her along to the Training Centre to meet the team.
She said: “Given the help that Margaret gave me with my project I thought it was the least I could do to repay her to come and pay a visit to the Training Centre. We have formed a great friendship over time and it was great to see her be able to witness the facilities first-hand and share her story.
“All the players really enjoyed meeting her and it was a pleasure to hear her experiences of captaining her country and comparing what football was like back in her playing days to now and how she hopes the game can continue to grow. I can’t thank her enough for the help she has given me and glad I was able to show her around.”
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