Scotland action for Perth talent Abbie
Fair City footballer Abbie Ferguson is proving she has Scot what it takes to perform at the highest level.
The Perth Grammar School student has this week jetted off with the national under-16s squad for an international development tournament.
Scotland will play three matches during the trip, kick-started by a fixture against the hosts Malta on Friday, February 21.
Games against Azerbaijan on Sunday and then Gibraltar next Wednesday will complete the tour.
Abbie, now of Celtic, previously played for Jeanfield Swifts and her inclusion in the Scottish set-up is no surprise to one of her former coaches.
Louise McClelland coached the talented player at under-13 and under-15 age group with the Perth club.
“Abbie had been with Jeanfield for a long time, from very young,” McClelland told the Perthshire Advertiser. “Straight away she was very talented.
“She was always the smallest in the team so people always underestimated her. But she would run rings around people on the pitch and was one of our star players for a long time.
“She was a cheeky wee girl and had the killer smile. Her feet on the pitch were just amazing and she had the talent.
“She was always happy, smiling and just loved her football. She is very passionate about it.”
Abbie’s impressive performances earned a move to Celtic and she is being backed to continue her climb up the footballing ladder.
McClelland added: “It wasn’t a surprise that Celtic came in for her and we expected it to happen.
“It was gutting when she left but it’s understandable why. There is more opportunity to get into the Scotland team if you are with Celtic.
“We wished Abbie all the best and, if things didn’t work out, she would always be welcomed back.
“Abbie will go all the way. She has the right attitude and has matured a lot. She has the talent to go all the way.
“There will be great coaching at Celtic and Scotland, so I think she will make it.”
The next batch of promising future stars continue to bubble under the surface at Swifts - and Abbie’s progression shows what can be achieved.
“It definitely inspires them,” McClelland said. “Abbie was a big part of our team and was liked by everyone.
“There are players who are just looking to have fun and play football. But you do have ones who are aspiring to go higher.
“There are plenty of them in Perth and Abbie is obviously a great example of that. Anybody can do it if they want to.
“Everybody at Jeanfield is there for each other. All of the coaches help each other out.
“There’s the pathway from down at the under nines up to the senior St Johnstone squad. It’s appealing for girls to come to the club.
“Knowing Abbie has gone on to be bigger and better is amazing.
“I hope to see her on the TV and in programmes in years to come - then I can say I coached her.”
She would run rings around people on the pitch and was one of our star players