A GOAL-DEN girl from Port Glasgow was given an extra-special birthday present - when she helped lead out one of the most star-studded football teams in the world for a massive match.

Ardgowan Primary pupil Eva McLennan, seven, was one of 22 mascots at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium for the club's Champions League match against Spanish giants Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

The little P3 pupil, who lives in upper Port Glasgow, held hands with French striker Karim Benzema as they walked out of the tunnel in Manchester.

Eva then stood alongside a host of Madrid stars including Portuguese midfield icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

It was the icing on the cake for the keen football fan who had celebrated her seventh birthday on Wednesday before the match.

Incredibly, her mascot role was a hat-trick for the family after her big cousin led Manchester United out at Old Trafford and her big brother walked on to the park with Celtic stars.

Excited Eva said: "I liked seeing all the players - it was good.

"I know who Ronaldo is and it was cool to see him.

"Me, my brother and my cousin are all very lucky." Last month her cousin Steven McNelis, nine, led out City's arch-rivals Manchester United alongside star striker Wayne Rooney in their Champions League match with SC Braga, of Portugal.

And in March 2011, her brother David, 10, was paired with Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre as a mascot for the League Cup final versus Rangers.

Eva and David's mum and Steven's aunt, Carol McNelis, who put the children forward to be mascots, said: "I've entered lots of competitions over the years but I didn't think I would get three-in-a-row with the kids as mascots.

"They are the luckiest kids in Inverclyde and their friends are all a bit jealous." Carol added: "It was another amazing experience.

"I entered the competition for Eva on the off-chance but I didn't ever think she would win after David and Steven were chosen as mascots too.

"Eva loved the experience and really enjoyed it."