Women's captain issues rallying cry to 'unbelievable' support for Inverness Caledonian Thistle after Rangers game in the Scottish Cup
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Caley Thistle Women captain Kirsty Deans labelled the record-breaking crowd that watched their Scottish Cup tie against Rangers as "unbelievable".
It was something of a special occasion, playing at the stadium against the top team in Scotland that were filled with internationals, but it is also a mark of how interest in the women's game has grown.
Deans believes the ICT players enjoyed the level of hype around the match before kick-off, and hopes that more people will be inspired to come along to league games to watch at their regular home of Millburn Academy.
"Seeing that amount of people is phenomenal for Inverness," Deans reasoned.
"There was a bit of noise which gave us all a boost.
"It was an unbelievable number, and we're really grateful to everyone who came out. Hopefully some more people will come more regularly to games after that.
"When you're injured or not in the squad, you're counting the people at Millburn and we're sometimes lucky to scrape 50 people, so it was phenomenal.
"Playing at the stadium helps bring people out as well, but hopefully that has been an eye-opener for people and they will come and give us some support for the rest of the season.
"It's certainly the biggest game I've ever played in with the crowd and the hype, and I think that has been really nice for all the girls in the squad no matter how experienced they are.
"A lot of them have played in big games in the past, but seeing how far it has come in the last however many years since we last had a big game like this, it's brilliant.
"Even for the older players, it was a really good day, and hopefully that can give us a positive start to 2024."
On the game itself, which ended in a 12-0 win for Rangers, Deans knew it was going to be a big challenge.
"Heads didn't go down at all, everyone worked their socks off during the whole game, and that was our two objectives going into the game," Deans added.
"We got some good feedback from them afterwards – whether they were just being polite or not – comparing us to some of the teams in the lower half of their league, which is a big boost for us as well.
"We've come on loads as a team, but we have never played a team of full-time professionals ever as far as I know.
"Compared to when we played in the SWPL in the past, the standard of Rangers' play is night and day.
"They were brilliant back then, but they are phenomenal now, so it was a good experience for us.
"We knew we were going to learn a lot from them and see what they did. It's not that we'll necessarily want to replicate it all, but it's inspirational for the people who came to watch and for us as players.
"We've got girls who are early in their career talking about wanting to build up, and it's nice for them to know what to expect and see where they need to get to.
"Personally I had an absolute nightmare trying to mark Kirsty Maclean, so it won't do much for my confidence!
"We were trying to break it down at the start and say it was just 11 people. Then you get on the pitch and see their footwork, and the pace they move the ball at – just everything about their technical ability – and you just think 'wow'.
"You've got to appreciate it at the same time, and just say it has been a great experience to try and chase these players around the park.
"You've just got to appreciate the standard they are at, and playing against international players is a special thing to do. It's great to have that opportunity."
