Erin Cuthbert expressed her joy and relief at playing her first game of the season in Scotland’s impressive 2-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Having won the away leg of their Women’s World Cup 1st round play-off, the Scots are well set for a comeback in Paisley on Tuesday, with Sweden a likely opponent for the advancing side.
Chelsea captain Cuthbert, 28, is yet to feature at club level this season following a knee injury and came on as a substitute in Pardubice. Colleague Claire Emslie finished superbly for the Scots’ second after a stunning opener from captain Caroline Weir.
“It’s very good,” Cuthbert told BBC Scotland.
“It’s been a long summer. It’s always great to get back out there and play for my country – I’ll never take it for granted when I’m seriously injured.
“I’m glad to be back on the football field. Your comfort, the amount of self-doubt, the amount of stress – am I going to get back to my previous level, how am I going to perform, is my knee going to be OK? It all goes through your head.
“It was bad. I was on crutches and in a brace for the better part of a month. I lost a lot of muscle and was trying to rebuild it all over the summer.
“It’s been a very difficult journey indeed.”