Weir nets her hat-trick

We are delighted to confirm that Caroline Weir has won the Albert Bartlett SFWA Women’s International Player of the Year award.

The Real Madrid star has captained Scotland to the top of World Cup qualifying Group B4 and this is the third time she has claimed the SFWA prize. Last year’s winner Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Jenna Clark (Liverpool) and Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton) were also shortlisted.

The latest achievement comes after a stellar year, in which she became Real Madrid Femenino's all-time leading goalscorer and the first Scottish player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or Feminan.

The 30-year-old was also named the national team captain by Scotland boss Melissa Andreatta and scored her first international hat-trick as Scotland opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 5-0 away win over Luxembourg.  

They bettered that scoreline in the return fixture at Hampden, triumphing 7-0 as Weir led from the front. Earlier this month, they added two draws against Belgium to top their qualifying group.

Weir, who has 118 caps, said: "Just to represent Scotland is a huge privilege, and then to be named as captain by Mel is a very proud moment for me and my family. Obviously, it's a massive year for us.

“It was really important [to get off to a positive start in the World Cup campaign]. 

"We wanted to hit the ground running. We put a lot of groundwork in at the end of last year when Mel came in but obviously where it counts is in competitive matches.

“I think what the men have achieved has been unbelievable. What that does for football fans in Scotland, and for the country as a whole, is amazing to see. 

"That Denmark game was so special and now the preparation going into the World Cup for them is so exciting.

"Of course, it makes us want it even more. We want to be part of that. We want to be doing it this time next year.

“Of course I'm dreaming about it. We all are. We all want to be there. And, yeah, I believe we have enough to get there but we need to make it count when it matters."

Talking about receiving the Albert Bartlett Scottish Football Writers' Association Women's International Player of the Year award, Weir described it as 'an honour'.

The award will be presented at the SFWA’s 60th annual dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Sunday, May 17.