I didn’t let Barton criticism upset me
BUT TEENAGE GOALKEEPER EASDON IS GRATEFUL FOR SUPPORT SHE RECEIVED
GLASGoW City goalkeeper Ava Easdon has thanked the women’s football community for their support after she was thrust into an unwelcome spotlight in the aftermath of the Sky Sports Cup final last month.
The 17-year-old found herself in the eye of an unsolicited storm when an error for on-loan club Partick Thistle in the showpiece clash brought forth a torrent of online abuse.
The mistake for the opening goal was gleefully seized upon by controversial former player Joey Barton, who lampooned the teenager — currently sitting her Highers before she starts her first ever professional contract next season with City — with an inevitable outcome as his 2.8million X followers piled on.
Messages of support for the goalkeeper were quick to follow, with Scotland stars Rachel Corsie and Erin Cuthbert among those who offered their backing.
And the stopper, up for PFA Young Player of the Year, has insisted that she accepts criticism will be part of the game, while welcoming the support during what was a surreal episode for her.
‘Stuff like that happens in football and it happens in the men’s game, too,’ she said. ‘It happens all the time and it just happened to me. Stuff like that doesn’t really get to me. But the support I got from the girls in the league down south and lots of male players, too, was incredible. The support definitely overcame the negative comments.
‘It was quite weird to see that people recognised me and the players who came out in support of me. It was massive and it made me forget what was said. I can’t thank them enough. My teachers were good with me, too. I just tried to not let it bother me.’
The biggest challenge that the goalkeeper has now is negotiating her maths exam next week before seeing out the season with Thistle. After that, it is head down and into full-time football.
‘I think the jump will be massive,’ she said. ‘It will be full-time and a higher level. I am excited.
‘I was thinking I would leave school and go into an office job or something, so it is incredible. I am so lucky to have this opportunity. Everyone has been very supportive.’
Easdon will be in action this evening as Thistle take on Hibs.
All eyes, though, will be on Celtic as they face reigning champions Glasgow City. Elena Sadiku’s side are two points clear at the top of the league but were missing in action at Hampden on Saturday when dismissed from the Scottish Cup by Rangers. The league leaders failed to summon a solitary shot on target with Jo Potter’s side dominant throughout.
How they respond to that will be interesting with Rangers, who host Hearts, keen to seize the initiative should anything give way in Airdrie in this evening’s early kick-off.
Certainly, Amy Gallacher, who made the PFA Player of the Year shortlist this week, is keen to see an immediate reaction against Leanne Ross’ side.
‘I am looking forward to the chance to put things right,’ she said. ‘As a team, I think we all just want to get on to the pitch again.
‘Coming to the end of the season, with five games left, we just need to push ourselves through and get over the line.
‘It is a massive game and we just need the three points. Personally, this season is the best I have had in terms of the numbers but I just need to keep pushing myself.
‘We know we let everyone down on Saturday but there are two big games ahead for us and we want six points from them.’
Rangers midfielder Rachel Rowe, a fellow nominee for Player of the Year, has insisted that it is heads down from here on in for Potter’s side as they look to keep up the pressure on Celtic.
‘It was a big win on Saturday and I think we take a lot of confidence from it,’ she said. ‘Every game is exciting.’
And Rowe has revealed that Celtic’s pre-match huddle on Saturday, which irked Potter, passed her by.
‘I had no idea!’ she said. ‘I saw all the commotion about it after the game [on social media] so I went into training after it and asked the girls. The only thing I will say on that is that we got the result and that is all that matters.’