Excited ‘fan’ hopes to be hero in Paris

In order to truly savour her time in the Women’s World Cup spotlight, Erin Cuthbert has experienced the competition on both sides.

The talented 20-year-old is likely to be one of the leading lights Scotland turn to for inspiration when they lock horns with Argentina in Paris tonight, with the winners potentially qualifying from Group D and earning a spot in the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Cuthbert was part of a group of Scots that headed to the Parc des Princes on Sunday to watch the United States thump Chile from the stands.

Experiencing the World Cup like a fan left its mark on the Scotland forward and also offered her an insight into how her family have felt watching her lead the charge for Shelley Kerr’s hopefuls.

“USA v Chile here the other night was amazing. It was so great to be in the crowd watching a World Cup game,” said Cuthbert.

“I phoned my family afterwards and told them how excited I was and they said: ‘How do you think we feel watching our little girl play?’.

“I’m always so proud talking about my family. To know they’re up there in their Scotland shirts with Cuthbert 22 on the back is incredible for me. They’ve even got my dad (Steve)wearing pink.”

With tonight’s opponents having stood out for stoic defensive displays against Japan and England, the onus may well fall on Scotland to take the bull by the horns.

The opportunity is also there for somebody to make themselves a hero.

Gavin Hastings’ try that downed France in the 1995 Six Nations and the stunning James McFadden’s strike in Euro 2008 qualification stand out as the two greatest Scottish sporting moments at the Parc des Princes – could Cuthbert be the next protagonist in an immortal Parisian tale?

“I wish it was that was easy. I just want anyone to score the goal that gets us there,” she said.

“Argentina’s a different game from the first two. Against England and Japan, we’ve had to sit in a lot and maybe we’ve worried about their threat.

“This time, we know if we bring our A-game, they won’t live with us.” SSE, the energy behind Scottish women’s and girls’ football. Official partner of the Scotland Women’s International team and proud sponsor of the SSE Soccer Centres and the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup.