Liz McLellan appointed Scotland captain for Home International

The grandmother from Armadale was confirmed as skipper after a secret vote among fellow team members at a recent development weekend at Stirling.

It’s a massive honour for the 63-year-old who is determined to do what she can to claim gold for Scotland.

The tartan team last topped the podium three years ago and won bronze last year in England and the squad this time is almost identical to last year’s team.

Liz will work in the background helping to collate information on the water while several members of the squad take part in the Commonwealth event in New Zealand. Other anglers in the squad will join in the fact-finding once they return from Down Under and all members will be presented with an in-depth briefing document well ahead of the event.

The competition is on one day but three days prior to that are available for practice and it is the first time that the West Lothian-based angler, who is a regular at Drumtassie near Blackridge, has captained the side despite having been a member for several seasons.

The team will wear modern McKenzie tartan at official functions around the tournament and organisers are keen to make this a competition to remember on and off the water. Liz said: “It’s a great honour to be appointed captain and I plan to do all I can to ensure that we have the best possible information going into the event.

“We are on home water and will recce the water thoroughly to work out what are likely to be the best tactics and where the fish are likely to be so all our squad are fully-prepared for the big day.

“Of course, weather can make a huge difference on the day, as it did last year.”