Manchester City and England Women's midfielder Jill Scott eyes European progress
Tuesday 14 March 2017 13:43, UK
Jill Scott is desperate to help Manchester City become the first English side in three years to reach the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals.
European debutants City travel to northern Denmark for the first leg of their quarter-final clash with reigning Elitedivisionen champions Fortuna Hjorring on Thursday night.
The omens are good for Nick Cushing's side after they overcame another Danish side, in the shape of Brondby last November, to reach the last eight of the competition.
"It's exciting times but I never look too far ahead," Scott told Sky Sports.
"I'd be lying I said it hasn't crossed my mind to see this team in the semi-finals but I also don't underestimate the amount of work we are going to have to do to get there.
"I think Fortuna will have similar attributes to Brondby who were big, strong, physical and well-organised.
"There is a little bit of pressure off us because it's our debut season in the Women's Champions League, but now, with only eight teams left in it, you can't help but dream."
Scott returned from the SheBelieves Cup last week where she helped England record a stunning 1-0 win over world champions USA during the course of the four-team tournament.
The 30-year-old celebrates a decade as an England international this year and Scott vividly recalls Arsenal players joining up with the squad back in 2007 after becoming the first English side to win the Champions League.
"That year was massive for women's football," the 118-cap midfielder said.
"I remember the Arsenal girls joining up late with the England squad and they had just won the quadruple [the league, both domestic cups and the Champions League].
"It was one of those moments that stick in your mind and even now when [former Arsenal players] Faye White and Kelly Smith do interviews they talk about it as their best moment in football.
"But as far as we are concerned, we are still very much keeping our feet on the ground because we know we'll need a lot determination to try and first see this club through to the semi-finals. We know that we will have to play the best to be the best."
