Alba is the new Queen of Hearts
Top opportunity for Ayr schoolgirl
An Ayr schoolgirl is set to achieve a Scottish first after being touted for football’s big time.
Talented Alba Doherty is to train and play in the pro youth setup at Edinburgh giants Hearts.
The 10-year-old became the first girl ever to play in a CAS (Club Academy Scotland) fixture at the weekend.
It follows scouts quickly identifying her ability as a potential star of the future.
Rangers, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Hamilton have all been on the trail of Alba, who is seen as one of the brightest female talents of her age to emerge.
But Hearts’ confidence to throw her straight in with the boys has proved pivotal.
Dad Paul, a former coach and player, revealed: “Alba has shown an ability with a ball at her feet since she could walk.
“I’ve never seen anything like it and her understanding of the game for someone of her age is frightening.
“She’s only 10 but the talent is clearly there to develop into something very special and the big clubs have identified that.
“With Rangers and Celtic, she would have been training and playing with the girls.
“Hearts were very clear from the start that they’d put her in with the boys.
“That will be massive for her development and to be the first girl in the country to get the chance at this level is huge for her.”
Alba, who attends St Ninian’s Primary in Prestwick, was quickly spotted when joining the youth setup at Whitletts Vics.
Paul said: “The coaches there were great with her.
“To be fair to them, they spotted the potential straight away and said she needed to be moving on.
“As a family all we can do is back Alba and see where it takes her. She also trains at the Inspire Football Academy in Glasgow and we’re on the go every night of the week between there and Edinburgh.
“But she absolutely loves it. Her enthusiasm for the game is incredible.
“Right now she’s showing a potential that’s giving her the chance to maybe break down some walls and achieve something really special.
“Hearts have done something amazing in being really inclusive - bringing her in with the boys is such a massive step.
“We’re really thankful to them for the chance and will just take it one step at a time.”