Glasgow City: We're saving our game

Sep 1 2011 Gordon Parks

Ladies leading the way says Laura

Glasgow City general manager Laura Montgomery last night claimed women's football is saving the Scottish game from becoming a laughing stock.

After a week of European elimination for all our top clubs, the Scottish ladies champions created history by reaching the last 32 of the Champions League for the first time.

Montgomery, right, has hit out at the lack of attention her sport receives and insists it's time the nation's female footballers were given a bit of respect.

She said: "If I hear we have no Scottish sides in Europe one more time, I will tear my hair out. Scottish football is not in crisis, the men's game is."

Women's football is booming with Glasgow City in the last 32 of the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Laura added: "While our male teams lose out to part-timers and minnows, our amateur female side can defeat full-time professionals and our national side is ranked 23rd in the world while our male side is ranked 55th. Surely this says it all.

"Why is our country incapable of getting behind anything female that is not blonde with a short skirt? "Football is our national sport and we arepunchingwellaboveourweightinthe women's game.

"Just imagine if it was on the back sports page, imagine if it was shown on TV or even mentioned regularly, imagine if you could actually be told by the media where a game was being played. Seriously!" Glasgow City will face Icelandic side Valur Reykjavic for a place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Thursday, September 29, at Petershill Park in Springburn and Montgomery wants the country to give her side their support.

She said: "Now is the time to get behind the winning football teams.

"Let's get behind the Glasgow team for this game and see just what can be achieved if we really pull together.

"There is certainly not much else going on in Scottish football right now, so surely the excuses can no longer be made.

"Everyone has anopiniononwomen's football. It would be nice if for once it was an informed opinion.

"ComeandseeGlasgowCityplayand then decide."