Monica Forsyth admits running out at Hampden Park for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Spartans will be a dream come true.
The midfielder has been with the club on a permanent basis since the summer of 2021, having enjoyed a productive loan spell the previous season from Celtic.
She believes Sunday is a fitting reward for the hard work everyone at the club has put in over the last three seasons to establish Hearts as a force in the division.
Just last week, the Jambos made more history as they picked up three points against Rangers for the very first time, this followed historic results against Glasgow City and Celtic earlier in the season.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, Forsyth said:
“First and foremost, it’s really exciting to be involved in any semi-final, but particularly to be playing at Hampden, that makes it even more of a big occasion. It’s a game that the whole squad are just really looking forward to.
“I’ve never played at Hampden. I’ve watched a few Scotland games here as a kid and it’s always been a dream to play at the national stadium, but for it to happen at Hearts, where probably three years ago, we would’ve been looking a lot more into the future for days like this.
“It just shows how much hard work we’ve put in to make it to an occasion like this. It shows how big a club we’re becoming.”
It’s an extra special day for the 20-year-old who recently returned from eight months on the sidelines following surgery on a meniscal root tear and Forsyth admits it’s these big games that make the hard days out all worthwhile.
“It was a long rehab,” she continued. “Very hard mentally. So, to be involved at this important stage of the season, which perhaps didn’t look likely heading into the winter break, just makes me proud of the amount of work I put in during those nine months to make it back and be fit and ready to hopefully make an impact in this game.
“It’s one of those things where you don’t realise how tough it is until you go through it yourself. Being involved in a team sport, but in many respects, not really being part of that team.
“Dealing with things that most players won’t have to deal with. From not being able to walk, to getting back and playing those first 90 minutes. It’s all in that resilience and mentality of a footballer, to train hard, day in day out, which helps you when you’re in the rehab process. Moments like this make it all worthwhile though.
“As a club, the growth has been really positive. We’ve brought in new players again this season, which has again drove the team forward. The club has been great with me, when I was going through rehab, I still always felt valued at the club. My injury was never an inconvenience to them, so I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be to deal with my injuries.”
You can support the team at Hampden by buying your tickets here.
