Pupils at a north-east secondary school were given the afternoon off yesterday to cheer on their very own footballing superstar.
Kim Little, 28, wears the dark blue of Scotland and was in women’s World Cup action with her team mates against Japan yesterday.
The Roazhon Park in Rennes in eastern France is more than a thousand miles away from her old school Mintlaw Academy.
But the distance did not stop pupils at the Buchan secondary getting into the swing of things and cheering on Shelley Kerr’s team.
A screen was set up in the school assembly hall and one of the teachers even provided pre-match entertainment with a rendition of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers.
Pupils waved saltires and sang along before Scotland’s second match of the tournament kicked off. Unfortunately they lost 2-1 to Japan with Lana Clelland scoring a consolation goal in the second half.
Linda Duthie, the head teacher at Mintlaw Academy, donned her very own Scotland top for the occasion.
She said it was important for the school to celebrate the achievements of its iconic former pupil.
Mrs Duthie added: “We had one of our seniors play the bagpipes and the kids were fired up because it is an inspirational story.
“It is amazing that a young lassie from the north-east of Scotland attending this school has done really well to get to the World Cup.
“It has been excellent for the school because the youngsters have been completely caught up in the whole thing.
“There were a few lows during the game, but not one silent voice when the one goal went in.”
Mrs Duthie is hopeful the school’s former pupil will return once the tournament finishes.
Kim Little, who plays in midfield for Scotland, has earned 135 caps for her country since making her senior debut in 2007.
She was originally part of a team called the ‘Mintlaw Miracles’ and her club career began at Buchan Girls before she signed with Hibernian.
She is currently in her second spell at Arsenal, but has played for American side Seattle Reign and Australian team Melbourne City.
