Rangers' Jane Ross not discounting Scotland return after overcoming 17 months on sidelines
- Published
Jane Ross scored five goals in Rangers' 9-0 win over Dundee United this month
Jane Ross believes "the door is always open" to a Scotland return despite admitting there were times during her 17-month injury battle when she wondered if she would play again.
The 34-year-old striker scored within seconds of her return for Rangers against Motherwell this month.
Now she remains hopeful of adding to her 146 caps under head coach Pedro Martinez Losa.
"It is up to Pedro," Ross told the Behind The Goals podcast.
"There has been a lot of changes in personnel since I was last in, but my focus has always been on just getting myself back on the pitch and putting in performances."
Ross, who is equal third in Scotland's all-time cap list, spent twice as long in recovery than some others who have suffered cruciate ligament injuries.
"There were challenges," the former Manchester United, West Ham and Manchester City striker said. "There were difficult times. Times when I thought, is this it, but I was determined that no injury was going to end my time in football.
"I told myself I am coming back from this no matter how long it takes."
Ross recalls "there were a lot of emotions" inside her head during that long-awaited return against Motherwell.
"I'd been prepared for that game for some time," she said. "I thought it would be more emotional, but it was just a case of enjoying being back on the pitch. Physically, I feel very good."
Now Ross is focused on helping the club she has supported since childhood chase three domestic trophies after Friday's 3-2 win over Celtic in the SWPL Cup semi-final.
She believes the Old Firm rivalry has helped increase interest in the domestic women's game during her near two-year absence.
And she says new head coach Jo Potter, who was a rival player when they were both in England's Super League, has brought a fresh and "clear philosophy" to the SWPL leaders.
"She has high standards, wants us to get the ball down and play, we are strong defensively and I think we are the fittest we've ever been," she added.