Scotland legend and Motherwell star reveals how employer almost stopped her representing women's national team

Motherwell Women’s star Leanne Crichton has revealed how a previous employer almost stopped her from representing Scotland during her international career.

The 34-year-old is a legend of the women’s game in Scotland after helping the nation to Euro 2017 and the World Cup in 2019.

She is now a key player with Paul Brownlie’s Motherwell side in SWPL 1 alongside a career in sports media.

During her time with the national team, Crichton faced several challenges - including one to get off from her day job as a leisure attendant.

Crichton was told that she would potentially have to quit if she chose to represent the nation. That was despite government funding for the side being announced to help cover costs.

Speaking on the 12th episode of the Lanarkshire Live Sport Podcast , Crichton says it highlights some faced with making decisions don’t always take the best path.

She said: “It happened in 2014. We were given funding by the Scottish government. I ended up back in Glasgow and had signed with Glasgow City, so that was going very well.

“We were given funding to reduce our hours from full-time to part-time, and the government supplemented that, so employers weren’t losing out.

“All they had to do was accommodate a full-time schedule. I went to my employer and I was in no such terms told you would be better to quit because we won’t accommodate that.

“We eventually got to a compromise but I didn’t take no for an answer! I knew how ridiculous it was that I was working in sport and leisure and they didn’t want to support an international athlete.

“That was working for a council that were hosting sporting events on the world stage. It was pretty bizarre that was such a pushback but I hope they learned from that.

“It shows