Jen took a dive after Collins’ World Cup pen
The 1998 World Cup in France triggered Scotland defender Jen Beattie’s love for football.
The 27-year-old was on a family holiday in the country at the same time as Scotland’s men’s team were involved in what proved to be their last major championship, so far.
“We were staying in a hotel and watched the Scotland games,” the Manchester City player confirmed. “I remember jumping in the pool when John Collins scored the penalty,” she said, recalling Scotland’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the tournament opener. “He was my favourite player after that.”
At the time rugby was the family’s main sport. Dad John was a Scotland international, as was his son Johnnie later. But inspired by what she’d seen in France, Beattie went on to forge a career in football and next summer will be back in France for the women’s global tournament.
“It was a surreal moment to have qualified for a World Cup which will be hosted in France next summer, 21 years on,” she pointed out.
Beattie won her first Scotland cap when she came on as a 16-year-old substitute against the USA in 2008.
She is expected to win her 118th cap against the same opponents in Paisley on Tuesday night.
The USA have won the World Cup on three of the seven occasions it has been held and are favourites to do so again in France.
“It will be an unreal challenge to start our World Cup prep against a team that has won the tournament three times,” Beattie said.
“We’ve won our last five games on the bounce and there is a momentum with us at the minute.”
Arsenal midfielder Kim Little, who like Beattie missed Euro 2017 through injury, will not be available at the Simple Digital Arena.
Little has a fractured fibula following a challenge in a league match against Chelsea last month.
The Americans beat Portugal 1-0 in Estoril on Thursday night to extend their unbeaten run to 27 games.
It was also a milestone as it was their 500th win since they played their first game in 1985.