Rachel Yankey set for 100 caps
England star Rachel Yankey today dismissed her impending landmark and insisted she is only focused on World Cup glory.
England star Rachel Yankey today dismissed her impending landmark and insisted she is only focused on World Cup glory.
The Arsenal midfielder is set to reach 100 caps against Turkey at the Banks's Stadium tonight but has vowed to put her personal milestone aside.
She will become only the second England woman to reach a ton after Gillian Coulthard, who won 119 caps.
A win for the Lionesses would net them a play-off spot for next year's tournament in Germany and Yankey says the team's progress is more important than personal accolades.
"It would be nice to play and get 100 caps but once you've stepped over the line you don't remember it, you're over it," said Yankey, who made her debut against Scotland in 1997.
"When I think there's only one other player who has achieved it it's a big deal, but I'm not really thinking about it because hopefully it's not my last game. I've still got games left in me.
"The bigger picture is to qualify for the play-offs and get to the World Cup.
"It's more about getting the win and making it easier for ourselves in the play-offs and giving ourselves the best chance to go to the World Cup.
"At the moment that's the bigger picture. It's the world's biggest tournament and it's where you want to be."
But the 30-year-old admits, should she claim a century of caps, the magnitude of the achievement will sink in once she retires.
"It will mean more to me once I've stopped playing when I realise how far I've got," she said.
"To be recognised with Gillian, who was a fantastic player, is amazing. When I stop playing and think I was able to achieve it, it'll be special.
"When I was starting out Gillian was just finishing so to be in the same category as her is amazing but I will only truly appreciate it when I've stopped."
England, unbeaten in qualifying, are looking for a double over Turkey following their 3-0 win in Izmir in November.
"It's about getting the three points and if it's 0-0 after 80 minutes we still need to keep playing to the gameplan," said Yankey.
Tickets are £5 for adults, £2.50 for concessions and £10 for a family ticket of two adults and two children.
