Scots likely to lift cup thanks to Abbi’s debut
Abbi Grant was in Spanish heaven after she grabbed Scotland’s only goal after 55 minutes to melt Iceland at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia.
It was the 24- year- old’s first start for Scotland and her first senior international goal.
It left Scotland with two wins from two in the Pinatar Cup and they look certain to lift the trophy when they play Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.
Even a draw will be good enough following wins over Ukraine and now Iceland.
The Icelanders were the highest ranked side in the four- nation tournament but should have lost by more in a game Scotland dominated.
“I’ m buzzing to have got the opportunity for my first start – and to get a goal was just a very sweet moment for me,” Birmingham City winger Grant said.
“I learned I was in two hours before the game at the team meeting. I was a bit shocked but just really happy.”
Grant missed a couple of first- half chances and admitted: “I feel they were easier to put away than the one I scored.
“That was harder – but these are the ones you like to get.
“It was a ball down the line. I drove into the box, jinked a few times, then cut on my left and thought I may as well shoot and see what happens.
“It caught the boot really well and went in to the top corner.
“I’ve been practising a bit with the left and it paid off today.
“Sometimes it leaves your foot and you know it’s going in – and this was one of these times.”
The for ward joined Anderlecht from Glasgow City at the start of 2019 after impressing the Belgians in a Champions League qualifier the previous summer.
“Anderlecht was good but I’m afraid the language barrier was a bit of an issue for me,” she said.
“I knew I wanted to go on and play in England so my thought process was to stay six months in Belgium, try and develop there, and then get the move.
“It happened for me at Birmingham so I’m really happy now.”