FOUR teenage sisters are set to follow in their famous cousin’s footsteps – by playing football for Scotland.
Natasha, Simone, Dion and Whitney McMahon – cousins of Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher – are on track to be the first family in the country to have four siblings in the national squad.
Natasha, 16, and Simone, 14, are already members of the under-17 and under-15 squads respectively. Dion, 13, and Whitney, 12, are well on their way to making the national squad.
Natasha said they had been inspired by Darren Fletcher’s achievements on the pitch.
“He’s a great role model for us, as he is for any kid interested in football.”
The talented 16- year-old already plays for the under 17s Scotland team and is working to become a qualified coach of teams in Midlothian.
She added: “He takes a keen interest in our progress. He just tells us to keep working hard and do our best.”
The talented sisters, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothan, have not only been coached by their famous cousin but they also had Keith Wright- former Hibs stiker- on hand to lend them advice on holiday football programmes.
The former Hibs star acts as the Midlothian Council’s SFA Football Development Officer and coached the girls through a number of soccer schools.
Natasha stars on her squad as right back and Simone also plays as right back for the U-15s.
Younger sisters Whitney- keeper-and Dion- a defender- are also making their way to the top and are playing on the South East Region U15 squad.
Last summer, Whitney hit the headlines after going 50 games without conceding a single goal with the St Luke’s Primary School’s girls team.
The four sisters train five times a week and attend St David’s High, Midlothian.
Natasha said: “It’s great that we are getting this recognition because we all take football really seriously and prepare ourselves for every training session and match we attend.
“We encourage each other, so we would really like to be playing on the national side together.”
Mum Liz, 37, a carer and volunteer coach with the St Luke’s Primary boys and girls teams, said: “I think what we are the most proud of is the girl’s determination and commitment to the sport, they have worked so hard to get where they are.
“Any child who has the ambition to do well, if they stick at it and have the right attitude, they can go far.”
