WOMEN'S TEAM

MacIver: I Want To Be The World’s Best

Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver has her sights set on the very top as she aims to become one of the best goalkeepers in the women’s game.

The 23-year-old was named in the 25-player squad for England ahead of the first two World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Luxembourg.

Following the announcement, MacIver outlined her long-term career goals.

“One of the reasons I play football is because I want to be the best goalkeeper in the world,” she told evertonfc.com.

“I can’t hide behind that.

“I want to win trophies with Everton, I want to win trophies with England.

Sandy MacIver
Ultimately, I want to be one of the best goalkeepers and be the best ‘keeper that I can be.

“That should be the direction that I think we [Everton players] should be all heading in because we definitely have the players capable of achieving that.

“Long term, that’s the goal for me.”

The selected players head into the international break with a new head coach after Sarina Wiegman was confirmed as the new England boss last month.

And MacIver is fully focused on making a strong first impression, as she bids for a place in the starting line-up.

“For me, I just need to go into the camp and train well,” said the Blues custodian.

“Selection is out of my control. I’m only in control of what I can do.

“It’s the start of a new World Cup qualifying campaign and with a new manager coming in it’s an exciting time. It’s a fresh slate for everybody.

“The focus will be getting the six points from the two games, and I don’t think we can be complacent in any way.

“Whether the manager picks me to play or not, I’ll still be motivated coming back into Everton and hopefully in future England camps I’ll get on the pitch.”

MacIver returned to the Club in the final weeks of pre-season due to her commitments with Great Britain in this summer’s delayed Olympic Games.

Looking back on her experience and how her game strengthened alongside some of the best players in the United Kingdom, she said: “For me personally, that did me the world of good.

“I was training with the best players in Great Britain day in and day out.

“I think from the start of that six-week process to now, I came back a better goalkeeper which for me was really important.

“Despite COVID, it was still an Olympic Games, it was a surreal experience.

“I don’t think I could have imagined spending my summer in a better position.”

Team GB finished top of their group ahead of eventual winners Canada.

However, they would ultimately fall short in the quarter-finals, losing 4-3 in extra-time to Australia.

While the time away from home and the way the tournament finished for MacIver was difficult to process, the England star was grateful for the experience.

“It is mentally draining being away for that long but you’re at an Olympic Games.

“We all had the belief that we were going to get a medal. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“Being involved with those players for such a long time just did me the world of good.

“A lot of those players have played Champions League, in finals and the World Cup.

“To be able to look at them and get an insight into their experience really helps me come back into this team (Everton) with the direction we’re trying to go in.”

England begin their World Cup qualifying campaign at home to North Macedonia on Friday 17 September, before flying out to face Luxembourg on Tuesday 21 September.