Caroline Weir has a decent excuse for missing her beloved Dunfermline Athletic take on Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-final since she will be captaining Scotland in Belgium on the same day.
The 30-year-old may be a superstar with Real Madrid but the pull of her hometown remains strong.
A Ballon D'Or nominee last year, Weir has fond memories of walking the family dog in The Glen, as Pittencrieff Park is known locally, and admits to indulging in an Empire Biscuit from Stephens Bakery on her most recent visit.
Not far from the bakers on Pilmuir Street is The Royal Bengal restaurant, the site of a mural depicting Weir, created in 2019 to mark Scotland's World Cup debut.
"It's right up there with some of my proudest achievements," she says of the street art. "It's coming up seven years and even with the Dunfermline weather, it's still managed to stay on."
Another proud moment came in October, when Weir scored and set up two goals for Scotland at East End Park in a 4-3 friendly defeat to Switzerland.
Having held a season ticket throughout her childhood, her previous outing at the stadium had been for a kids' birthday party, involving notoriously mischievous club mascot Sammy the Tammy.
"It's probably the number one question I get asked," Weir says of Dunfermline's Hampden date with fierce rivals Falkirk on 18 April.
"It just seems like every time we play Falkirk, it's a massive game. But this is going to be one of the biggest of the lot. I'm confident. I just feel it this year."
The game clashes with the second date in a double-header with the Belgians, who visit Easter Road four on Tuesday.
Both nations have 100% records after two games and will be vying for top spot in the World Cup qualifying group.
"We know it's going to be a challenge, but we're really looking forward to it," says Weir. "I think the squad's in a good place."
Published By: Ajayi Oluwaseun Michael.
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