Scotland winger Christy Grimshaw has said that there was no personal dilemma over playing for her country against Israel across the next ten days – but has said that the governing body should be doing more to address Israel’s participation in major tournaments.
Grimshaw is back in the international fold for the first time in over two years following an ACL and MCL tear that took 13 months of intensive rehab to recover from.
Melissa Andreatta’s side face Israel this coming week behind closed doors in two FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, with the games taking place in Budapest's Bozsik Arena.
The Republic of Ireland men’s team face autumn Nations League games against Israel, with the last few weeks underlining the strength of feeling among players and supporters about the games, with high-profile protests taking place amid senior players voicing their own feelings about the games.
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Two years ago when Scotland played Israel at Hampden in a Nations League meeting, there were protests outside the national stadium while a protester chained himself to a goalpost to delay kick-off. “We're really aware of all the situations with the Irish players and obviously here as well with Israel and the Israel game,” said Grimshaw.
“Ultimately we have to let the people who are in charge of these situations decide these things. We as players have been put in a situation where all we can do is adapt. We are very aware of everything that's going on, and we feel that. We have to play football. That is our role in this moment, and that's all we can do.
“As humans we can say so many things, but in these 10 days we have to focus on being footballers because that's our job. We have to put our footballing brains on when we're called up to the national team, and it's like almost two people. As a footballer, I always want to play for my national team, and obviously as a human I am aware of what is going on.
“It has been a long time that I'm out, and when Mel calls, and the national team calls, as a footballer I would never give up the responsibility to say no to my national team. The situation is not ideal, but we're here. We have to kind of switch our brain on to performing for our country.
“In this situation, we as footballers can’t do anything about it – we just have to win these games. The best way we can do that is by fighting for the points.”
