GLASGOW CITY captain and Clacks Council Active Schools coordinator Leanne Ross wants to inspire young people to follow their dreams after retiring from Scotland duty. 

During an international career which lasted 11 years and saw her amass 133 caps, the 36-year-old worked tirelessly to balance her job with giving everything for the navy blue jersey.

But now after a physically and emotionally challenging European Championships, she has stressed her ambition is to focus on encouraging young people in the community to pursue their passions. 

“It’s been great actually being back in the schools and some of the youngsters saying, ‘I saw you on TV during the summer,’” she joked.

“But It’s not just trying to get them to take up football. Obviously there’s people out there that football just won’t interest them and it’ll turn them off sport altogether. 

“So, it’s about finding something for each individual that can give them the opportunity to experience things like I’ve done in my life. 

“That’s the biggest thing for me. I’ve played football and travelled the world but the experiences and the skills that I have benefitted from, that’s the main thing for me, trying to let other people experience that as well.”

Leanne has worked for the council for over ten years and has been in her current capacity for the last six, working within different primary and secondary schools in the Wee County. 

And she spoke of how she still gets a buzz out of doing something she loves for a living.

“Working with children and trying to get them involved in sport, you can see the benefits that it brings to them and the changes it can make to their lives,” she said. “It’s a great job.”

However, the demands of being a footballer, while sustaining an every day career have not been without challenges.

She added: “I’m not going to lie, it’s been difficult the past 10 or 11 years trying to balance the career and football but I must say that Clackmannanshire Council and all of my colleagues have been so supportive in helping me to achieve it.

“I think going forward it [retirement] is going to mean that I’m less busy and able to focus more towards one aspect of my life other than trying to juggle everything together.”

The midfielder, who will continue playing for her club until at least the end of the current season, feels she is as fit as she’s ever been and enjoying the form of her career. 

And reflecting on a whirlwind summer where Scotland tested themselves against England, Portugal and Spain, she said: “It was an amazing experience. We were so focused on it for so long, that was our main target, so we just lived in the moment and then all of a sudden it was over. 

“As soon as that last game finished I was literally home in my own house less than 24 hours later.

“I’ve had so many responses to my own messages on Facebook and Twitter so it’s been nice to see some of them, in particular young boys and girls saying I’ve inspired them to play. That’s a huge part of it for me to inspire other people to take up the game.”