Giffnock SC girls train with Scotland football players

Giffnock Soccer Centre Under 16's got the once-in-a-lifetime chance this week after winning a national competition sponsored by M&S.

Head Coach Pedro Martinez Losa and Scotland stars Caroline Weir, Fiona Brown and Emma Mukandi took the girls through their paces at Hampden Park, 24 hours before their friendly with Costa Rica.

The squad of twenty-five girls were also hosted by comedian and Scotland fan Ray Bradshaw which featured a Q & A with Scotland star Jane Ross.

This was followed by a stadium tour before watching the national team train at Lesser Hampden.

Giffnock Soccer Centre (GSC) was founded in 1995 (Image: Giffnock SC)

Their head coach Kenny Wilson said: “It was an amazing day. The squad has achieved so much in a short period of time and this was the icing on the cake for the girls to train with their heroes."

M&S Marketing Director Sharry Cramond added: "Providing recognition to grassroots football as the lifeblood of the game was at the heart of this promotion."

The Giffnock girls team got first prize after reaching the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup only three years after being founded. M&S customers were able to nominate a local school or football club.

The girls won the competition last June and have been waiting since then for their chance to train with the national team.

GSC welcome boys and girls from age 3 and upwards (Image: Giffnock SC)

Giffnock Soccer Centre was founded in 1995 and is now the biggest club of its type in the country with over 1300 players - both boys and girls.

The club, which is based at Auldhouse playing fields in Thornliebank Road, is run by an army of 200 volunteers and coaches. 

In recent years they have developed stars such as Scotland captain Andy Robertson, former Rangers player Kyle Hutton and Hamilton Accies defender Jamie Hamilton.