After trading the City of Discovery for North Lanarkshire after three seasons at Foundation Park, former Dundee United and St. Johnstone captain Rachel Todd instantly made an impression in claret and amber, netting twice in her debut before adding to the tally the following weekend.
Already proving to be a shrewd acquisition, the versatile defender will be keen to play a part in the women of steel’s push for a top-six finish this season.
“It certainly was a debut to remember,” Todd noted.
“I couldn’t have imagined it going any better. I felt confident that I could score on my debut, but I didn’t expect to score twice. It’s ironic because I wasn’t feeling particularly great about my first half performance as I didn’t get on the ball as much as I wanted to. Then, in the second half, we picked up the performance and took control of the game.
“It’s not often I score with a header, so that certainly topped off the game for myself personally.”
Capable of operating between the back four and forward line, Todd primarily played on the left flank whilst featuring throughout the entirety of the Tangerines 2023/24 SWPL campaign.
Todd netted eight times across the previous campaign and captained the side to a closely-fought SWPL playoff victory over Kilmarnock to retain United’s Premier League status ahead of the forthcoming season.
“Paul had been in touch with me on numerous occasions and had made his interest clear during the previous season,” Todd outlined.
“Certain circumstances meant it wasn’t the right time for myself personally, but this season felt like it was time to move on and it’s been the best decision for me.
“Paul’s message was clear from the start, and I had a really good feeling for the move after discussing his aspirations for the season ahead. It felt quite a seamless fit for both of us, as the club could develop me as a player whilst also creating competition for places.”
Despite a tough SWPL campaign with United, Todd concluded her captaincy with a positive display over Kilmarnock through a one-legged playoff-final at the Falkirk Stadium. The 27-year-old will be keen to build on her experiences in Tangerine, as the women of steel target an historic top-six finish this season.
“Collectively as a squad, we know the ambition for the season is to finish in the top-six,” Todd emphasised.
“The quality within the changing is more than capable of achieving this, but we have to be consistent with our performances. I’m an attack-minded player, who can use my pace to threaten from wide positions whilst remaining strong, aggressive, and extremely competitive, so I hope to contribute to the team to the best of my ability.
Paul Brownlie’s side coasted to a comfortable five-goal victory over Spartans in the Scottish capital on the opening weekend before continuing their unbeaten start to the season, with a closely-fought victory over Montrose at K-Park.
“To start the season with three points was the best possible outcome,” Todd said.
“The manner of the victory though, scoring five-times is an encouraging sign and an early indication of what the squad is capable of. To follow that up with another strong performance over Montrose should be a signal of our ambitions for the season ahead.
“There’s been a lot of new faces in the summer window, but there’s also a healthy mix with players who have been here for four or five seasons. The feeling around the dressing room is brilliant, in training everyone is motivating each other and pushing each other’s standards. It’s a really good environment.”
