CHANCE TO SHINE
Wishaw girls called up for Scotland camp
Two promising young Wishaw footballers are hoping to make a name for themselves after being hand-picked for a Scotland training camp.
Coltness High kid Eilidh Austin and St Aidan’s pupil Kayla Jardine both play for Rangers Women.
And now the football-daft duo have a chance to impress on a national scale after they were invited to Scotland Women’s Under- 15 training camp in Inverclyde this week.
Starting today and ending tomorrow afternoon, the girls will be training and playing alongside the best young talent in the country.
Kayla’s dad, Stephen, believes the 14-year-old midfielder won’t let the golden opportunity pass her by.
He said: “Kayla started at Wishaw Wycombe Wanderers and then got the call from Rangers about four years ago.
“I know I’m biased but she’s probably their best player!
“She’s only 14 but has played for the under-15 and under-19 side.
“She can only play friendlies because of her age but she played for the under-19s against Hearts recently and scored the opener in a 2-1 win.
“Nothing fazes her. She can play anywhere in midfield but she sits in for Rangers and passes it around everywhere, a bit like Kim Little.
“She watched all of the Women’s World Cup and it’s a great opportunity for her now. The World Cup put women’s football on a different planet and even at Rangers the boys and girls are now in the same academy. That makes a big difference.”
Eilidh’s dad Stephen is sure that his daughter will also grasp the opportunity with both hands, and is delighted the friends will have each other to lean on at the camp.
He said: “It’s a great achievement for her to be recognised as one of the best young players in the country.
“It’s also a great reward for all the hard work she’s put in over the years.
“She’s been at Rangers for two and a half years and just loves her football.
“She’s very versatile and can play in midfield and in defence at right back.
“Eilidh and Kayla are best friends and have grown up together through football as they both played for Wishaw Wycombe.
“They support each other on and off the pitch so it’s great they’re going to this camp together.”
Coltness High head teacher John Mcgilp thinks the recognition of both girls’ talent is richly deserved.
He said: “I am very, very proud of Eilidh as this is an excellent achievement.
“She is a lovely and modest girl who works really hard and dedicates a lot of time and effort to her football which she should be congratulated on.
“I am also delighted that one of her best friends and team mate at Rangers Kayla has been selected for this camp too.
“She is a pupil at St Aidan’s and it is brilliant that two local young people are trailblazing to this national level.”