A productive pre-season spent with City has Sophia Martin excited to pick up where she left off when the young forward kicks off the 2025/26 season on loan with Montrose.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a six-month spell with our fellow Scottish Women’s Premier League side last season, making 13 appearances and scoring four goals during her time in Angus.
An impressive run of form both on a personal note and as a squad during the final stretch of last term saw the Gable Endies avoid relegation. Their position in the top-flight was secured with a 4-0 win over Dundee United on the final day of the season, with Martin netting the opener.
With the new campaign looming, the youngster returns to the north-east having been part of our pre-season programme, gaining minutes in friendlies against both Hamilton Academical and English Women’s Super League 2 side Durham.
“I’ve just tried to get my head down and work hard,” the Scotland youth international said. “I knew that I was going on loan and the deal was happening.
“Pre-season has been great. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve learned so much from the girls and I’m just always learning as a young player.
“There is still more to come this pre-season and that is only going to benefit me as a player. Being here full-time, it just helps me go up to Montrose to show that I'm learning from both squads.
“Just as a person and the mental side of football - coming in every day, being full-time and then traveling up to Montrose, it’s all helping me develop.
“I’m just showing what I can do here and taking my abilities up to Montrose. Maybe some of the girls up there can learn from me and what I’ve learned from my time at City.”
Upon signing her first full-time deal back in 2023, Martin became the youngest Scottish female to sign professional terms. Having gained more senior experience since then with both City and whilst on loan with Montrose, the forward is determined to fulfil her prospects.
“I know I still need to hit my highest potential,” Martin said. “This pre-season has showed that I’m willing to do that.
“When I went on loan to Montrose last season, over those six months I showed what I could do. I started playing every minute, started getting in the team of the week, getting in the team of the month, and helped them stay up which was a big achievement.
“I’m just looking to go and do what I did at the end of last season.”
And being in a full-time environment with City has undoubtedly helped Martin realise the required level needed if she is to go and hit her ceiling.
“Playing with the players here has made me realise how hard pre-season is,” Martin continued. “It is a big jump going down to Durham and playing a team like that, but it has helped me grow as a person and as a player.
“Getting minutes against Accies and Durham has been so good for me, so hopefully I can take this preparation and put it to good use with Montrose.”
Going out on loan is often part of a young player’s journey, and it is one that Martin is certainly embracing as she returns to a place where she already has foundations in place.
Martin's Montrose begin their SWPL season on Sunday 17th August, hosting Rangers at Links Park.
“There were so many highs and lows there last season” she said. “It was really competitive. At one point, we thought we were down and then we came out and went on a great run.
“It was a great end to the season, and we will just be looking to carry that on this season. Hopefully, I can do the same again and contribute as much as I can.
“I know most of the girls already and some of the ones that have come in, I know them through playing for Scotland, so it is just one big family.
It’s a good group and I like working with Craig (Feroz), so I’m just looking forward to going and doing what we can on the pitch.”
Sophia's Glasgow City teammates are back in pre-season action at the Peasy this weekend, hosting Aberdeen. Use your 2025/26 Season Ticket to get free entry or buy your match ticket on Fanbase now!