A YOUNG footballer from the Port will proudly stride on to the Hampden turf tomorrow as a Euros' mascot.

Kaci-Leigh Collins will be stepping out onto the pitch as Croatia play Czech Republic at the national stadium.

The nine-year-old, who has been playing football for over six years, was selected for the Euro 2020 accolade through her club, Barrhead Youth.

The youngster will enjoy a tour of Hampden before meeting a string of world famous players such as Inter Milan's Ivan Perisic and English Premier League stars Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek before taking to the pitch ahead of kick-off.

She told the Tele: "I am really excited.

"I can't wait to get out onto the park and experience the atmosphere.

"I would love to be paired up with Luka Modrić who plays for Real Madrid and Croatia."

The youngster, who lives with parents Sophia and Ryan and siblings six-year-old Ryan and Romie, two, was inspired to take up the sport by her grandfathers.

Kaci-Leigh, who plays left-wing, was forced to join a boys' club team as there were none open to girls when she first pulled on her boots.

She determined schoolgirl didn't let that hold her back and will be alongside three boys from the club's 2011s team tomorrow.

The rising star's mum Sophia says she 'couldn't be prouder' of her daughter,

She told the Tele: "This is such a big achievement for Kaci-Leigh and something that doesn't happen to you every day.

"This is her dream and it just shows you hard work and determination can really take you places.

"It never bothered Kaci-Leigh that she was the only girl on the team, she viewed it as a challenge and worked even harder to win a starting spot.

"This is all down to her and the whole family are so proud - we hope it is definitely the start of a big future in the sport for her."