Kirsty and Kelly Ross both believe St Mirren Women’s historic pre-season trip to Germany is a massive step forward for the club.
And that’s despite only one of the married couple being available to make the journey this weekend, leaving the other behind to tackle “major FOMO”.
The Buddies pair walked down the aisle in May having first met on a five-a-side football pitch several years ago.
And ahead of the new season kicking off, St Mirren Women are heading to the continent for the first time after being invited to compete in the Peuler Deerns Cup in the north of the country.
While Kirsty will be on the epic long bus journey from Paisley with her teammates, which started last night, her wife Kelly won’t be able to join due to work commitments.
Kelly admits her jealously levels will be through the roof once the pictures start coming back from the players who are able to make the trip.
But she insists it’s hugely important for the team to make the journey for a number of reasons on and off the park.
Kelly told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “Being involved in a pre-season tournament like this is absolutely brilliant for the club.
“Unfortunately I can’t make it because I couldn’t get the time off work. So they’ll just have to win it without me!
“I’m sure I’ll have major FOMO when the results and pictures start coming through, but I’ll just try to make sure I’m on the next one instead.
“I’ve been with the club for three years and the set-up we have now is excellent.
“To go abroad on trips, be involved with team strip launches and things like that, it shows how integrated the women’s team now is within the club.
“It will also be a great team bonding exercise. We’ve got a great group of girls now and we’re feeling really optimistic about the future.”
Kirsty is adamant she won’t be gloating about being involved on the trip because she knows how much Kelly would love to be along for the ride.
She will be making the most of the experience though, with the Saints set to play Hannover tomorrow night before the 12-team tournament kicks off on Saturday.
Kirsty said: “Going away to Germany is going to be amazing. All the girls have been talking about it for a long time.
“For me it’s the first time I’ve ever been involved in a pre-season tournament, so it’s very exciting.
“We’ve got lots of new players in, so it will definitely help us gel as a team.
“Our only real concern is the heat. It’ll definitely be factor 50 all the way!
“Me and Kelly only recently got married and it’s a real shame she can’t make it herself due to work.
“I’m not rubbing it in too much as I know she’d love to be coming along too.
“The dynamic between us on the pitch is really good. Football actually keeps us together, as due to our shifts it’s sometimes the only time we see each other.
“We’re both playing in midfield these days, so we might be competing for the same position this season. We’ll both be doing our best to get in the starting XI.”
St Mirren Women head coach Kate Cooper believes the tournament will help every player to “level up”.
And she paid a big thanks to SMISA and their members for helping to fund the trip she believes will stand them in great stead for the season ahead.
Cooper said: “We’re very grateful to have been invited to this tournament after being identified as a team that fitted in with their philosophy of developing players and promoting women’s football.
“As a coach you are always looking for ways to give players different experiences to level up, outside of just domestic football. This will definitely do that as they’ll learn from the travel and the new players they face.
“Managing the challenge of travelling is huge for players, especially for us this season as we’re going to be up against clubs from all around the country.
“We are hugely grateful to SMISA as well for the funding. This potentially changes what our season could be and it’s great to see the club backing women’s football more than ever before.
“It also helps us take the St Mirren brand around the world, which is important to the whole club.”
