CHRISTY Grimshaw, the AC Milan and Scotland midfielder, made her long-awaited comeback from a serious knee injury after no fewer than 391 days out in a Serie A Femminile match against Inter Milan last month.
The Kirkcaldy-born, Stonehaven-raised player came on late in the second half of the league encounter and was helpless to prevent her side from suffering a 3-1 defeat at the Centro Sportivo Vismara.
However, the 16-times capped 29-year-old, who also made her 100th appearance for the Rossonere during the runout against their city rivals, was delighted to put the most difficult period of her career behind her.
She is now looking forward to featuring regularly again for both her club and her country.
Chief Football Writer Matthew Lindsay caught up with Grimshaw to talk about her lengthy rehabilitation, playing for AC Milan, her life in Italy, the influence of Rose Reilly and her hopes for the future with Scotland.
How good was it to be back playing after so long out?
“It was a relief, an absolute relief, honestly. I was out for a long time, a year and a month pretty much. But I came back in a derby and made my 100th appearance at the same time. So I couldn’t have timed it any better. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the result, but there were things that were more important for me than the result that day. I was really, really happy.
“I've never had a proper serious injury and I’ve never been out that long. To be out for over a year really tested me both mentally and physically.
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“It happened in a game against Como in March last year. There was no contact, nothing. I went to press their centre-back and as I changed direction my foot got caught and my knee folded. I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), my MCL (medial collateral ligament) and a bit of the meniscus as well. I did all three. It was absolutely horrendous.
“It was a bit of a weird case. I couldn't have surgery immediately after because of the mess. They wanted to let the MCL heal a bit. When I finally had the operation, my knee was a mess again. It all took longer than expected.
“But I have had the best people working with me in Milan. I'm feeling stronger and fitter than before because I’ve had a lot of time in the gym. I have to say a big thanks to my return to play coach Simeone especially, because he's helped me a lot. But everyone has been great. It wasn't easy, I have to admit.
This is your fifth year in Italy now. Is it fair to say to move to AC Milan has gone well for you aside from the injury?
“The first year was all about learning the language and finding out about a different culture. But I fell in love with the Italian lifestyle and with the way they perceive football from the minute I arrived. The passion the fans have is also incredible.
“The club is great too. The women’s team is considered equal to the men’s team. We are part of the Milan Lab (the AC Milan scientific research centre which is dedicated to the health of their players). So we do exactly the same stuff with the same staff when it comes to training. There has been a good feeling there from the start.
“Outside of football, I have had to adapt to living in a different country and to being away from my family. But I have always had an open mind. From the off I said, ‘I’m here to learn something’. I have picked up the language, enjoyed my football and managed to connect with the fans. My family love it here as well. They come out and visit me all the time.”
Has playing in Serie A improved you as a footballer?
“Definitely. I wanted to work on the tactical aspect of my game and it's quite a technical game here. It perhaps lacks a little bit of the physicality that exists elsewhere in Europe. That is true of the mens’ teams as well. You have seen it in the Champions League this season. But technically and tactically they're up there.
“When I was out in America (Christy studied at Barry University in Miami and played for Barry Buccaneers for five years) I was always on top of the physical part of the game. I ran, I worked in the gym, I focused on my conditioning. But I was aware of where my game might be lacking. I realised I wanted to learn about the tactical part of the game as well and improve as a player.
“Luckily, I have been able to do that in Italy. I have gained good experience and I would definitely say I have improved as a player. It is a different style of football and I have enjoyed it.
“Milan as a club, and Italian women’s football as a whole for that matter, attracts big players. I am thankful to have played with and against some big names. That is one of the benefits of being at a big team. The players you play with help you improve as well. Over the years, people have come and gone. But I've been lucky enough to play with some big names in women's football as well.
“This year I’ve had a slightly different role. We’ve had a younger side with a lot of under-19 players. Hopefully they look up to me. I would like to think they do. I’ve realised I’m a role model and need to do things right on the pitch and off it and be as positive as possible.
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“I'm also learning a lot in terms of that. So, doing things off the pitch right, doing things on the pitch, leading, obviously trying to be as positive as possible, but also helping them in the best way. I'm also learning a lot then.”
The Scotland great Rose Reilly played for ACF Milan and won eight Serie A titles in Italy with a number of clubs. How conscious are you of what she did for women’s football? How cool is it to be following in her footsteps?
“Very. I was at a Scotland camp a couple of years ago and she was there and we had a really good conversation about everything Milan and Italy. Speaking with her personally made me realise how much of an impact she had on Italian football as well as Scottish. She’s a great person. People ask me about her over here all the time.”
Scotland play Austria and the Netherlands in the Nations League soon. Will those games come too soon for you? Or are you hopeful you can be involved?
“I can't say too much, but there has been contact and I'm really thankful for that. The SFA have been in touch regularly throughout the whole year asking me how things are going. Them always looking out for me has been an added positive. But they’ve been in contact in the last few weeks and it’s looking good.
“I'm not quite ready to be able to play a lot. But just being involved, being with the girls and being there as the team starts this new journey with a new coach will be really special for me. So I’ll keep my fingers crossed.”
What do you think of the appointment of Australia assistant Melissa Andreatta as new Scotland head coach?
“She has coached at a really high level with a really successful team. As a group of girls, we will always work hard when we put on the shirt. We don’t need much motivation. If we have good influence and guidance behind us we will always do well. But I think having a fresh face will definitely help us.”
