FEVER PITCH

The fact she has recently thrilled in the unexpected coming to pass might explain the confidence Glasgow City winger Katie Mccabe has that the Scottish champions can overturn a 3-0 deficit in their last-32 Champions League return leg against Biikkazygurt tonight.

The22-year-oldirishattacker was with Arsenal until the first week of August brought her north for more playing opportunities. Days later Republic of Ireland coach Colin Bell installed her as captain to replace the retired Emma Byrne for the World Cup qualifying campaign.

“It was a massive shock,” Mccabe said. “It’s obviously something you don’t expect to happen when you’ve only been in the team two years and are 21. I never thought I would be next in line but Colin showed great trust in me in thinking I can lead the team – and I led them to their first three points of the qualifying campaign against Northern Ireland and hope I can get another three points against Slovakia in two weeks’ time.”

The seismic nature of the shock in being awarded the captaincy can be explained in the reaction of her oldest friends. “I’ve never captained a side before,” added Mccabe.

“My mates gave me a bit of stick because I was never even allowed to be captain in the school’s team. The girls have been great in the Ireland camp, I’ve had a lot of support from the team, and that’s all you want. To have a manager like

2 Katie Mccabe gets a feel for one of the Champions League footballs in training at Petershill Park yesterday.

“We aren’t used to playing on grass week in week out but we’ll take them on our home [astro] turf and hope to do the business”

KATIE MCCABE Colin, with what he has seen and experienced in Europe in being a Champions League winner [with German side Frauen DFB Pokal in 2014], show that trust and belief in me is so good.”

Mccabe’s drive and assurance