Ceri Holland keen to improve herself around Welsh squad
Ceri Holland of Wales in action. Wales v Greece in a FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifier at Parc y Scarlets on the 26th November 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Ceri Holland only made her Wales debut at the start of year but has quickly settled into the squad and is going from strength to strength.
Having made her debut in Gemma Grainger’s first match in charge against Canada back in April, the Liverpool forward has been an ever-present in the squad.
However, she took a different route to get there compared to her other teammates. Holland spent three years playing for the Kansas Jayhawks, an experience that has certainly helped her in more ways than one.
‘It was an experience I’ll never forget and it’s an experience that’s really helped me both on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I’ve built myself confidence out there and to be so far away from home, it’s different and it’s one you have to adapt to quite quickly and I think that’s definitely helped me when I’ve come back to the UK’
“I pride myself on my athleticism, being powerful, being able to run in behind and also press the opposition,
“I’ve also been a bit better technically lately, that’s definitely an area that I’ve been working on.
There is no doubt that her improvement has also been down to her form with Liverpool, who are currently top of the Women’s Championship and are on a magnificent run of form.
“Life at Liverpool is very good at the moment. Matt Beard came in and it’s been a really positive time and twelve unbeaten is a record we’re definitely proud of’
“If you’re playing well at your club it’s good, it gives you confidence coming into the international environment and I hope I can come in and continue helping the Welsh team in any way that I can.
But, it’s with Wales that Holland wants to push herself even further. Playing with players that have seen it and done it all has helped her to motivate herself.
‘Obviously we’ve got some world-class players in the team such as Jess. That’s been proven in the awards she’s just won, and Sophie and Haz, as long as I can soak up as much from them and every other player around us then I think we’re in a good place.
‘Something that’s stuck with me is, when I made my debut, Jess said it’s a feeling that you can never replicate in any other way. It’s an addictive feeling is what she said.
Wales have had an excellent start to the qualifying campaign, winning three and drawing one of their opening four matches. But Ceri and the rest of the squad are keen to not dwell on what’s happened before and are focused on these upcoming matches.
‘The mood in the camp is very positive, all of our focus is on Friday, we can’t look back at what we’ve done and what we’ve achieved already. We’ve got to look forward to the next game.”
