Liverpool’s Rachel Furness ready for Northern Ireland test against Belarus

How has training been going for your next Euro 2022 qualifier against Belarus?

Training has been very competitive and full of energy. You can tell everyone has been working hard away from camp and it has been great coming back together, especially after our positive camp last time out. We are completely focused and ready for a massive game.

You were named vice-captain for this season, you’ve earned Player of the Month in September for Liverpool - what do those achievements mean to you?

Considering I have only been at Liverpool a short amount of time, it is a massive honour that the manager believes in me as a person and player to help lead the team this season. Of course, winning Player of the Month in September a great personal achievement and I am very grateful for the award.

I would say though, I’m thankful for the team I have around me and I will always put the team over personal achievements.

I am enjoying every moment of playing football and awards like this push me on to work even harder.

What’s been your biggest challenge to date in your sporting career?

A serious knee injury when I was 16 years old. It keep me out of the game for two years. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’ve overcome it as I have to manage every day, thankfully though my chronic knees injuries are managed well and so I can still play football, but I know this won’t last forever.

I think this mentally and physically was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with. No footballer wants to be told to stop playing at such a young age and that is what I thought my reality was.

I think learning more about myself, learning how to cope, has made me a stronger person on and off the pitch. I play each game as if it is my last and appreciate everything.

What are your hopes for the future and where do you see the women’s game going in NI?

Domestically, my hopes for the future would be to gain promotion back into the WSL with Liverpool. Internationally, it would be amazing for Northern Ireland as a country to qualify for a major tournament for the first time in our history, and that is definitely an aim for the future.

The women’s game in Northern Ireland is only getting stronger but we need to continue to push standards to ensure that growth.

The Electric Ireland Game Changers campaign is so important to encourage young girls to get involved in football, celebrating female football talent and boosting participation in the sport. In the future, beyond playing, I would like to be involved in helping grow the game and support the player pathway for the younger generation coming through.

Best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best advice I have ever received would have to be ‘always work hard’. Hard work can beat talent when talent doesn’t work hard. I’ve always prided myself in working harder than my opponents and I think taking that advice has helped me throughout my career. I always pass this advice on to the younger generation when I can.

What has been your biggest career highlight?

To date I’d have to say captaining my country on my 50th cap and scoring on the night too. My family had travelled over to surprise me for the game so it was a proud moment for me and the family.

Did you always dream of playing football professionally?

Yes of course, I think growing up in a football mad family it’s a dream I had but never thought was possible. Growing up my love for football was always there, but the only games that I watched would have been men’s, so I didn’t think playing professionally was ever possible for me as a woman. As cheesy as it sounds, getting my first professional contract was a dream come true and I have worked even harder every day to keep that dream alive.

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