At 17-years-old, Rangers loanee Mia McArthur faced the dauting decision to close her first chapter in professional football, and step into the ruthless demands of the Scottish top-flight.
After departing Scottish Premier League 2 side, Gartcairn, McArthur sought to challenge herself at the pinnacle of the Scottish game. The intensity of training, the tactical alterations, and the unfamiliarity of the dressing room presented a real step into the unknown for the youngster.
“I wanted to challenge myself in the Premier League,” McArthur said.
“My time at Gartcairn was really valuable to gain that experience away from academy football, and learn how to cope in a competitive environment. I felt I developed well both personally and professionally as a player, and I felt ready to step into the top-flight.
“When Iain spoke to me about his ambitions for the club, and how I could make an impact, I knew that I wanted to be involved.
“Knowing Iain from his time at Rangers, and his experience of bringing through younger players, I felt really confident that I could be given an opportunity to play and breakthrough at that level.
“It was really a day of mixed emotions when I made my debut. Despite the disappointment and frustration of the full-time result, I was ecstatic to make my debut in Aberdeen.”
The women of steel’s frustrations continued to mount in the Granite City, with the Dons striking home a late winner to level their place with Motherwell in the SWPL table.
McArthur alongside fellow January addition Sophie Townsley both made their competitive debuts, with the former replacing Kodie Hay as a second-half substitute.
“Receiving my SWPL debut was a special feeling,” McArthur explained.
“It has been something I’ve worked really hard towards, so to finally reach that milestone, and break into the top-flight was incredibly rewarding, and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.
“The game was really frustrating for us as a squad. We dominated in possession, had opportunities to take advantage, but allowed Aberdeen to remain in the game. After equalising, we felt we’d given ourselves the platform to go and take all three points, but ultimately, we get caught on the counter-attack, and they get a bit of fortune for the goal.
“We’ve discussed it as a squad, and we’re frustrated that we’ve made our chances of reaching the final top-six place more difficult, but whilst we’re still within touching distance with two games to go, we’re going to give it everything.”
Motherwell face an arduous task if they are to reclaim their top-six status in the SWPL table. The women of steel sit four-points adrift of Montrose with two pre-split games remaining against defending Champions Hibernian and league leaders Glasgow City.
Motherwell must earn three-points in both, and hope both Montrose and Aberdeen concede points at the final hurdle. McArthur insists the squad are relishing the challenge.
“It’ll be incredibly tough,” McArthur noted.
“Facing the defending champions and the team fighting for the league title this season is as difficult as could be, but when the opportunity to achieve our target remains, we have give everything to put ourselves in a position to achieve it.
“Montrose, Aberdeen, Partick Thistle and ourselves all have the opportunity to reach the top-six, and are all still conscious of earning three-points to separate ourselves from the playoff position below, so we are working hard behind the scenes to secure our place in the league next season.”
Despite the tough run of form, McArthur discussed her first month settling in to the squad, and learning the tactical style of Head Coach, Iain Robinson.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far,” McArthur added.
“I obviously knew Sophie [Townsley] from Rangers before joining, so it has been good to have a familiar face in the dressing room, but the entire squad have been really welcoming, and have made the process of joining a new club and league really seamless.
“Despite the tough run of games, we’ve felt we’ve played really well at times, and haven’t left with the points we feel we’ve deserved. As a squad, we’ve been able to adapt to Iain [Robinson] and David [Brownlie] style of play, and are developing well as a team.”
