Can't believe what has happened - Kim
Kim Little is keeping her feet on the ground after making her full Scotland debut two weeks ago, at the tender age of 16. The Hibernian midfielder made two appearances for her country in their recent games against Japan and Sweden in Cyprus - a remarkable achievement in her first season in senior women's football.
"It was very, very good!" Kim told Women's Soccer Scene when asked about the occasion. "It is what you aim for when you start playing football and I am very pleased. It was good to come on as a substitute against both Japan and Sweden, both teams are very strong and it was great to play against two of the top countries in women's football. I was on the pitch for twenty minutes against Japan and the second half for the Sweden game but I found it very tiring as I had to do a lot more running and it is a big step up, but it was a fantastic experience."
The internationals have crowned an incredible 10 months for Kim who, less than a year ago, was captain of the Under-17s. "I can't believe what has happened," she admits. "At the start of the season I was hoping to get into the under-19 squad and to receive a call up for the seniors was totally unexpected." Kim's selection came as a result of her superb form for Hibernian this season and she has scored 27 times so far for the reigning Champions. "Things are going well," she modestly replies. "The team is playing quite well at the moment and you have good players around you to help make the step. There is a clear difference between girls to women's football, similar to how it has been when moving up to international football.
"At the moment we have maximum points but we have to keep winning our matches. We have two crunch matches coming up against Glasgow City near the end of the season and they could be the decisive ones."
More good news for Kim is that she has retained her place in the Scotland squad for their prestige friendly against England on 11th March. "I have just received the news that I have been included and I am thrilled," she says. "Every Scottish player wants to play against England - I played against them for the under-17s last season and just to be there on the bench would be very special.
"We proved against Sweden and Japan that we have improved a lot, especially fitness wise. We held Sweden until the 80th minute and only lost by the odd goal, so we are getting even closer to the bigger nations. There were a lot of good performances by all of the players out there. Julie Fleeting is so good, a world class striker who has so much to offer, Mandy Burns played well in both games as did Michelle Kerr and Jo Love. Anna Signeul has come in as Head Coach and improved the team a lot. I really enjoy working with her and I hope I will for many years to come."
Kim has made rapid strides in a short space of time and there have been a number of influences on her career. "My dad goes everywhere with me and has done everything he can to help and encourage me, and I owe a lot to my teachers at school and at the academy. Tony Gervaise has been there from the under-15s onwards and he has helped everybody who has come through, the women's game in Scotland owes an awful lot to him."
Scotland have also been making strides at youth level and Kim is confident that she will not be the last youngster to break through to the senior side. "Jennifer Beattie is a year younger than me and she is already in the under-19s, she has a huge future in the game. Natalie Ross is another who has the ability but there are a few who can make the step up.""
*******************************************************************************************************************************LITTLE IN SIZE BUT BIG IN STATURE - THAT'S KIM
Hibs 16-year-old striker Kim Little made a good impression in her senior debut for Scotland last Wednesday even although Japan were 2-0 winners in the friendly tournament in Cyprus. “She went on as a substitute for the last 25 minutes and played in centre midfield,” says Scotland boss Anna Signeul. “That was tough to come into but she played very well and made some great runs. Kim is such a strong player. “It was a shame we couldn’t draw against Japan, as we lost to two set pieces and we usually cope very well with corners. But we’ve come a long way, even in the year since we last played Japan and they beat us 4-0. Then we only managed to defend for 45 minutes of the game and this time we succeeded for 90 minutes. We were well organised and didn’t give anything away.” Scotland now face Signeul's former colleagues Sweden when they meet in the last challenge match of the trip.
