Jill Scott is convinced Everton boast the quality and mentality to achieve tangible success – and the midfielder insists joining Willie Kirk’s high-performing team can aid her personal improvement bid.
England international Scott will remain with Everton until the end of this season after completing a loan move from Manchester City last week.
The 33-year-old had seven years with the Club and was a member of the 2010 FA Cup winning team before transferring to City in 2013.
Scott admits she “didn’t have a decision to make” when Everton made their interest known this month.
And despite owning a CV that stands comparison with any of the country’s outstanding players, Scott is adamant Kirk’s Everton could be the beneficiaries of her best football.
“I still feel I can improve, there are things I want to add to my game and… that is something Everton can help me with,” Scott told evertontv.
“I could have stayed in my comfort zone but I feel I have a lot still to give.
“My time at Everton [between 2006-2013] and first few years at Manchester City I was getting forward and adding goals to my game.
“I want to keep working on adding goals but also be seen as that box-to-box player.
“As much as I want to score goals, I love making those last-ditch tackles.
“As soon as I heard Everton were interested, there wasn’t a decision for me.
“Breaking into the top four is an aim and reaching the FA Cup final [last year] show we aren't far off.
"If I can help us push towards that it will be a successful stint.
"The team spirit is good and there is a will to win and if you combine those two things it is a recipe for success."
Scott amassed a treasure trove of medals over the past seven years with City.
She won the Women’s Super League in 2016, adding three FA Cups and an identical number of league cups.
The Wearsider’s 149 England appearances is second only to the 170 managed by Fara Williams.
Scott has played at four World Cups, twice reaching semi-finals, and represented Team GB at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Manager Kirk, then, is understandably excited about the wider influence Scott can have on his Everton dressing room.
“I always drive standards on the pitch with my work rate and effort,” said Scott.
“I treat training like a game, every aspect of it. It is a time to improve.
“I never go into a training session half-hearted and I demand that of others around me.
“But I am not coming into an environment and thinking there is work to be done [on mentality].
“I’ve been here a couple of days and it feels like I’ve never been away.
“That speaks volumes about the Club and Willie and the girls.”
Scott began training with her new teammates last Friday and is in line for a debut when Everton host Manchester United in the WSL on Sunday.
Echoing her views on rekindling her Everton connection, Scott admits pulling on a Blue shirt to face United would feel “very special”.
She is taking nothing for granted, however, noting the “strong midfield and massive competition” for places.
“It is going to be a case of helping each other get better by challenging each other,” said Scott, who hopes playing for Everton will “keep me in the frame” for this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
“It is high challenge but high support – which you don’t get in many environments.”
That overarching environment, says Scott, is reflective of the strides taken by the women’s game during her time away from Everton.
“I am in at 10 in the morning and not 10 at night,” added Scott.
“We used to train between 8-10.
“The Club was very good and we trained at Finch Farm.
“Everton always tried to [adopt a professional approach] but we knew it would take time.
“Training in the day, then having the option of doing gym, and receiving all the nutrition support and sports science, shows how far the women’s game has progressed.
“It is great to see that what was my dream back then is a reality for the girls today.”
