There was a sense of what is set to come for the City squad this weekend as we went on our travels and took in an overnight stay ahead of Sunday afternoon's pre-season friendly against English Women’s Super League 2 side Durham.
It is something that will prepare the squad for our upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign which will see us embark on a trip to Austria for our second qualifying round semi-final match against FK Austria Wien.
For the team, these pre-season excursions are about more than just the game itself.
They're an opportunity to travel, bond over shared meals, and take part in team-building activities – with this weekend’s being a quiz organised by Erin Clachers – that help strengthen connections both on and off the field.
Durham marked the first trip this squad has made together, and it proved invaluable in building the kind of unity that will be essential as we gear up for what is sure to be a demanding season ahead.
As one of our longest-serving players, Lee Gibson’s perspective on team bonding is invaluable. Having been through countless pre-season trips with both City and the Scottish national team, her insights are shaped by years of experience.
“These trips play a huge part,” the goalkeeper said. “There are still a lot of new faces coming in, and these are the perfect times to get to know one another a little bit better.
“There are a lot of us who have grown up together within the different groups in the team. It’s a family – a second family. We probably see each other more than we do our own families.
“It’s always good to spend this time together on these trips, but even when we’re at training and it gets cut short or we finish for the day, we're still spending time together afterwards.
“It’s so important and such a good feeling to be in an environment that you feel like you want to spend time in.”
It is a sentiment shared by summer signing Erín McLaughlin, with Durham being her first away trip since joining City earlier this month. And although she has slotted into the team like she has been a part of it for longer than she has, there is no denying the impact these trips can have.
“It is really good experience,” McLaughlin said. “Especially being new, it’s nice to bond with the girls and get to know each other a bit better.
“You get to spend more quality time together off the pitch than you do if it was just a normal matchday or training week. You get to see more of people’s personalities.
“It does make it a lot easier for myself and all the other new girls who have come in, being able to sit down and chat with different people in the squad. In training you’re focused on that and it’s physically demanding, so you don’t have the time to get to know each other as much.''
With the challenge of Champions League qualification looming, the pre-season trip to Durham will prove to be an essential part of preparing for a European campaign that will undoubtedly test our resolve.
City will embark on our latest European adventure after a one-season absence from the Champions League. The first task will be to overcome hosts FK Austria Wien in the semi-final, with a clash against FC Minsk awaiting in the final.
“It is good prep,” Gibson explained. “Coming away and playing different teams, it’s almost like a wee dress rehearsal for us.
“We’re going to be going a bit further to Vienna than Durham, but this has really helped us spend a good amount of time together and bring us closer as a unit.”
“You don’t go away with your club too often, so getting these trips in help prepare for Austria, and you get to see all the different characters in the squad,” McLaughlin added.
The squad returned to Glasgow on Sunday evening with vital minutes gained in the legs and strong bonds forged ahead of the season to come.
City are next in pre-season action this weekend, hosting fellow Scottish Women's Premier Side Aberdeen at Petershill Park. 2025/26 Season Tickets can be used as entry - buy them or your match ticket on Fanbase!