Glasgow City now have the strength and variety to help drive their SWPL 1 title challenge this season, says head coach Scott Booth.
Booth has made several changes to his starting XI over the last few matches, but his side have continued to generate results, leaving them three points clear at the top of the table.
On Sunday they host Spartans before a top of the table clash with nearest rivals Rangers.
“The different players can play in different positions but are also in competition with each other, which I think is really good,” said Booth, whose side are chasing a 14th consecutive title.
“It is needed in the women’s game in Scotland, having competition for places in squads for all the clubs, because that drives standards and make sure that the game continues to progress.
“I think that is really key and the fact that we've had so many players getting on the scoresheet is great. You know that goals give confidence to players, that's the way it works, so I'm happy with that.”
Booth again highlighted the benefits of his squad’s depth when discussing the centre back talent at Glasgow City, while also crediting the experience of internationals Janine Van Wyk and Arna Sif Asgrimsdottir for some strong defensive displays.
He said: “They’re two experienced players who have done fantastically well to come in after the lockdown and just probably through experience, have been able to handle things well.
“But at the same time we had Jenna [Clark] in there on Sunday and again, we got a clean sheet and she came in and did well. I think it's more about just driving standards, and it's players like Arna and Janine that really help us because they've not got to the position where they are as football players easily.
“It's been difficult for them to get to where they are and I think you see that in the experience that they bring to the team in games.”
Looking ahead to his side’s game at home to Spartans this weekend, Booth is hoping for further improvement from his side’s 4-0 win over Hearts last time out.
“I'd like to see more urgency in our play,” he said. “I'd like to see the things that we work on in training put into practice more. But ultimately I'd like to see us play with a tempo and intensity that really ask questions of Spartans, as well as keeping things tight at the back because they definitely have a threat.
“It's the same as always, it's about three points, clean sheets and we'll go from there. It’s a game where we don't have the three games in the week [coming into the game], so we're able to approach it in a way where we can throw pretty much everything at it.”
Scott Booth: Competition for places driving up Glasgow City standards