WHEN Caroline Weir began her footballing journey, playing the game was a family affair filled with ambitions of reaching the very top.

Hooked on the sport from an early age with elder sister Kirsten, the sisters honed their skills on a pitch created in their back garden by dad Lindsay, and both went on to play for Elgin Star and Hibs Girls.

In 2009, they both managed to win the Scottish Cup – Caroline at under-15, and Kirsten at under-17 – with Hibs on the same day, after which the younger Weir sibling declared her goal to play both professionally and for Scotland.

Not only has the 21-year-old achieved both – she plays her football for Liverpool and has won 38 international caps so far – but she’s also set to carve her name into Scottish women’s football history this evening.

If given the nod by coach Anna Signeul, Caroline will be part of the first Scotland team to play a match at a major championships when they take on England in their opening group game of the UEFA Women’s European Championships in the Netherlands.

And, as they have been throughout her career so far, her family will be in Utrecht to cheer her on in what Lindsay admits will be an emotional occasion.

“If she’s selected, it will be a very proud moment,” he told Press Sport.

“It has been quick (from starting out with Elgin Star) in some respects but Caroline’s very level-headed and has taken things in stages. She’s worked very hard and the coaches she’s had, from Elgin Star right through to Anna now, have put a lot in too. They’ve been very supportive.

“She’s feeling good; they went off on Tuesday morning and was home after the Ireland game (1-0 friendly win on July 7). She’s really looking forward to it; this is the stage where they all want to show their skills.

“We’re going out on Wednesday and going to all three group games. There are lots of people from Dunfermline going out, certainly for the England game, and it’s very exciting.”

Lindsay, who is the secretary of Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council and was previously involved with Hibs Ladies, continued: “It’s great and nothing more than the girls deserve.

“It’s great for the women’s game and this is the next stage in the progress that has been made under Anna and at grassroots level. I saw it when I ran the Hibs girls; a huge amount of work was put in and this is a marker to build on.”

Scotland’s progress will be put to the test in a difficult section with England, Spain and Portugal, but Lindsay added: “England and Spain are tough sides but I think Scotland can compete and give them a good game.”

You can catch Caroline in action live on Channel 4, with Scotland’s opening game kicking off at 7.45pm tonight.