She was never to achieve the same level of fame in her home nation, however, as the governing body behind Scottish women’s football banned Reilly from representing her country.

You must enable JavaScript to play content It was like being back at school – ‘you'll get expelled if you’re playing football’ Rose Reilly

‘I felt bad for the people that banned me’

Rose received news of her ban from a friend; no official communication arrived from the governing body.

Rather than harbouring resentment about the decision, Rose instead felt pity for the officials who banned her.

“Why would you ban a Scottish athlete who wants to better herself? I still don’t have an answer for it.”

Former football manager and Secretary of the Scottish Women's Football Association Elsie Cook said that Rose’s legacy can be seen in the new breed of footballer being developed at junior level.

“These wee enthusiastic lassies are just picking up where Rose kind-of left off, because Rose was that wee, wide-eyed 7-year-old when she started playing.”

Developments in the women’s game – including Scotland qualifying for their first ever World Cup finals – shows, according to Rose, that the only way is up.

“Try stopping us now. We’re on a roll!”

