The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hanson earns late call up to Scotland squad
Manchester United forward Kirsty Hanson is excited to have gone from fan to player after being drafted into the Scotland squad for the first time ahead of Friday’s European Championship qualifier in Albania.
The 21-year-old won a late call-up after replacing the injured Martha Thomas.
Hanson has played for Scotland at youth level, but the closest she had got to the senior team was watching them in the World Cup in France in the summer.
She said: “Since I finished up with the Under-19s in 2017, I’ve always wanted to play with the seniors, so it is a dream come true.
“I loved representing Scotland for the 17s and
“They’ve always said they want to see me play for Scotland”
19s, especially at the Euros in 2017.
“I was in Nice for the England v Scotland game, which was such an amazing occasion.
“I thought they did well overall during the tournament, against some tough teams, and it’s definitely something to build on.
“There were so many people interested in the tournament and that was just amazing.”
The Halifax-born striker – who has family in Fife – was called up on Monday.
“I was so excited when I found out and the first thing I did was tell my family and they were really proud,” she said.
“My mum is Scottish, so making her – as well as my gran and grandad – proud has been amazing. They’ve always said they’ve wanted to see me play for my country.”
Scotland are looking to build on their opening 8-0 win over Cyprus when they face Albania, who sit bottom of Group E after three defeats in three matches.