A natural leader in the squad, the City and England midfielder has stepped into the breach in recent weeks, deputising in an unfamiliar role at centre-back to help in the midst of an injury crisis.
Committed, passionate and selfless, the 34-year-old is a highly-respected figure within the game, having always put the needs of the team first.
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An influential voice – both on and off the pitch – many look up to the MBE recipient for her wisdom and experience, especially during challenging periods.
Scott, in particular, was one of the leading lights in the dressing room at half-time of the first ever professional Manchester Derby in September 2019, delivering a rousing team-talk to inspire a much-improved second half display, which ultimately clinched an historic victory.
As the team look to bounce back from their recent setbacks, following a disappointing run of results, Scott is hoping for a similarly resilient response.
“As a team, I feel like everyone is really together,” she said. “Sometimes, you can post stuff on social media and throw words out there but not feel them, but ‘together’ really describes this squad.
“Results this season have hurt a lot and I’m sure they’ve hurt the fans too. We know how important these upcoming games are.
“The Manchester Derby is so exciting. For years, it’s something we didn’t have but really wanted so to have it now is extra special.
“The fans will be back – we always have great support: home or away – and it’s always a feisty atmosphere, which just adds to the occasion.
“Looking back to that first Derby at the Etihad, the first half was definitely played with nerves – on both sides. It was a bit like a game of chess and there weren’t many chances.
“Neither team wanted to put a foot wrong – we were both playing in ‘safety mode’ – but we came together at half-time and in the second half we really got on top of them and used our experience and we got the all-important goal to win it.
“Of course, the aim at the end of any Derby game is to make sure Manchester is still Blue. I’m sure it will be another great game on Saturday.”
That inaugural league Derby encounter was decided by a solitary strike of power and precision from the boot of midfield maestro Caroline Weir.
Though Scott has 25 goals to her name during her seven-year spell at City, including her own winner in a Manchester Derby FA Cup clash, the England legend has dubbed the Scotland international’s memorable winner her all-time favourite.
“To have scored a goal like that in a Derby game in front of 31,000 people was incredible,” she reflected. “I’m getting goosebumps talking about it!
“It was such a fantastic moment – not just for Caz as an individual but also for the team. To have won such a special game with a goal like that… Those moments don’t come around very often.
“With it being played at the Etihad, there were so many different camera angles too so she can watch it over and over for a long time!
“Fair play to her for having had the audacity to try it! People may have just seen the outcome of that goal but we see her do that in training most weeks and it was good to see what happens when people stick to the process and see things they work hard on in training coming to fruition.
“She is such a fantastic player – one of the most technically-gifted players in the game – and it’s great to have her on our team, especially when she can score goals like that!”
