SheGulls were invited down to the Elite Performance Centre last week to speak with some of our players about the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final. In this edition Scottish defender Rachel McLauchlan gives us the her thoughts ahead of this incredible event:

DUNCAN PRICE: When you first joined Brighton, did you imagine playing in an FA Cup final for the club?

RACHEL MCLAUCHLAN: No, I think I was on such a high just from joining the club that I didn’t think of where we could go to. We obviously did really well in the league last year and from there it’s just built up to this moment really nicely – even from just being in it for the two years. So as much as maybe I didn’t think of a massive big picture, it’s been like the biggest high to be able to say that we have got to the final and hopefully we can top that high with the win as well.

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DP: I think, correct me if I’m wrong, you’ve won the Scottish Women’s Cup five times?

RM: Well, I’ll take your word for it, sounds right. Three times with Hibs, once with Glasgow City and once with Rangers. Obviously I played up there for quite a bit with different clubs and managed to get my hands on a few of the cups, so it was good, yeah.

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DP: Do you think that gives you any advantage going into these one-off game situations, having that experience of being in finals before?

RM: 100%, I’ll bring that into next weekend, but I have no doubt that anyone here needs that kind of motivation. You know, they’re going to go into it 100%. Having that (experience) I’m sure can help and I know the feeling of winning the cup. So I will have that excitement and motivation towards it, but like I say, whether you have it or not, I think Wembley speaks for itself.

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DP: I think if I remember rightly, your goal against Rangers was a bit of a scorcher. Another one of those on Sunday maybe?

RM: I wouldn’t mind that again.

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DP: Does your preparation change for a one-off game compared to a normal league game, or is it just the same?

RM: It’d probably just be the exact same to be honest with you. As much as obviously it’s a big occasion, I try and treat it as what we’ve done all season because it’s worked for us to get to this moment. So I personally wouldn’t want to change much in what I want to do. I know by this point in my career what works for me and I would stick to that for even this game.

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DP: If you had to sum it up, what would you say has been the key to this cup run?

RM: The girls, the coach and staff have all worked so hard on the training ground in every game before this, but I think the biggest thing for me, and even Nadine scoring that late goal, there’s been a few games like that this season, I think just the togetherness of this squad probably brings that and helped us along the way for that.
Within every season there’s going to be your highs and your lows. Knowing how everyone reacts when they come in that next day, you know everyone’s together, everyone’s backing each other. If you’re not playing everyone’s supporting the ones who are playing. I just think there’s that togetherness. That’s probably brought us to where we are just now.

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DP: In terms of Manchester City, is there any intimidation there? They’re also league champions, but you did beat them not all that long ago. Do you think about the opposition or prefer to focus on your own game?

RM: I think when it’ll come down to it, individually, if you win your battle, you’re helping the squad. So of course you need to look at yourself in that performance. I don’t think we should be scared of Man City as such. Yeah, they’re a great team, they’ve done so well and a massive congrats for them winning the league this year, but at the same time we need to go on with a bit of confidence as well and really take the game to them.
Like you said, we did beat them last time out in the league, but we also have respect that they’re very good players. It does square up to a very good game, but I think having a collective overall, having a little bit about them, but focusing on yourself and getting your job done.

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DP: Have you thought about the possibility of winning? Some players like to visualise it, while others don’t want to think about it until they’ve actually got their hands on the trophy. What’s your approach?

RM: I think it’s been quite a relaxing chilled one at the moment. I can’t deny that I haven’t thought about winning the cup. I want to win the cup with this team, you know? Of course, my thoughts are going to be there, but at the same time, there’s still a full game to go ahead of.
So I’m getting nowhere near ahead of myself and just taking the training sessions in, then getting into the game and taking that as it comes. So, yeah, it’s happening in your thoughts, you know, you want to win, but there’s still a full-on game against a tough team to go.

We want to thank Rachel and the club for their time and assistance.

Now let’s go and win the FA Cup on Sunday! Up the Albion!