Inverness Caley Thistle teenager says she was proud to be selected to play for Scotland
ALEX Whelan says having the opportunity to play for Scotland has been the highlight of what has already been an impressive football career for her so far.
The Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder represented her country at under-16 level for the first time against the Republic of Ireland last week in an international friendly.
It is the latest achievement for the 15-year-old from Fochabers, who is being hailed as one of the top young prospects in the country.
She has broken into the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women’s team who are riding high in the Scottish Championship and challenging for promotion.
Whelan, who is a fourth year pupil at Milne’s High School in Fochabers, says it was a huge honour to play for her country and hopes to have the chance to do it again in the near future.
She said: “It was the first time I was called up to the Scotland squad.
“It was a really good experience being able to meet new people and seeing the standard that you have to be at to play at that level.
“Despite losing 3-1 against Ireland, It was the proudest moment of my career so far.
“It was great to have the chance to play alongside the best girls in the country and the chance to see what the level is like to compete against them for a place in the first team.
“I hope I can develop with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and go on to play for Scotland again.”
Whelan started playing football with a boys team at Keith before going on to play for Moray Girls in Elgin at under-16 level.
She was spotted by Inverness Caledonian Thistle head coach Karen Mason who was impressed by her talent and put her straight into the senior women’s first team after signing her.
She trains with Inverness three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with the help of her dad Mike who drives her from Fochabers to Inverness.
Whelan says that it has been a huge jump from junior to senior level, but she is adapting quickly and being exposed to the Championship has helped improve her as a player.
She said: “I joined Inverness this season who I played against with Moray Girls at under-16 level.
“On Fridays, I train at the North East Scotland Development Centre where Karen coaches at as well. She got in touch with me and asked if I wanted to come and play for Inverness.
“It is definitely a quicker tempo playing at senior level and you don’t get a lot of time on the ball.
“Physically it was a big step to take but I am getting used to it now. It has definitely helped develop me as a player.”
As well as playing football for Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Scotland, Whelan is also an accomplished runner with Moray Road Runners in Elgin.
She has represented the North of Scotland in cross-country at under-15 and under-17 levels and also claimed silver in the 3000 metres at under-17 level at the North Track Champs at Inverness in April.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle are in third place in the Championship and are three points behind league leaders Stirling University.
Whelan believes Inverness are definitely good enough to challenge for the title and promotion.
She hopes Inverness can strengthen their bid when they face Hutchison Vale at Millburn Academy on Sunday.
However, she says they are looking to bounce back from a 4-0 defeat to Glasgow Girls last Sunday.
She said: ”The season is going good for us. We did have a rough game last weekend but hopefully we will be better on Sunday against Hutchison Vale.
“We are definitely looking at challenging for promotion and the title this season.”
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