Northern Ireland and Liverpool ace Rachel Furness working hard to stay sharp

So far in her international career she has netted 26 goals, including one last time out in the green jersey over Pinatar Cup winners Scotland.

When asked what was her favourite memory in the Northern Ireland set-up so far she said: “This is a very tough one as I’ve had a lot of great memories playing for Northern Ireland.

“I’d say one that pops up is my first ever goal for the senior team, we played Slovakia at home in a qualifier and I was only 16 at the time.

“I was nervous but so excited for the game as I felt no pressure, I was a flying winger at the time and I remember setting up the first goal and scoring the second.

“We won the game 2-1 and it was the first time my Mum had seen me play for Northern Ireland so it was an extra special moment.”

Furness, who spent the first part of 2019-20 on loan at Tottenham Hotspur before making a permanent move to Liverpool in January from Reading, has had no problem settling in on Merseyside.

She has scored four times in four games and was nominated for last month’s ‘Player of the Month’ award.

“With my current club Liverpool the highlight so far would be scoring the winner against Bristol City to get us the well-deserved three points in January,” she said.

Liverpool sit bottom of the Women’s Super League but have certainly improved performances on the pitch since the arrival of the experienced midfielder.

She has also had spells with Sunderland and Newcastle in addition to a period with Grindavik in Iceland.

Furness also revealed how she is training at the moment due to the Coronavirus lockdown in the United Kingdom.

“During this period we have been lucky enough to get programmes and a lot of support from club,” she said. “I try and have a daily routine to keep myself in a good place both physically and mentally.

“On my daily outing to exercise I take my dog with me to give him a good run out.

“I go to an empty football field close to my home and do my session - my dog normally sets the pace and I end up chasing him.

“I have been challenging myself to find different ways to train having been limited with equipment.

“I am lucky enough I have a bike at home that I use on some days and I have been taking part in Joe Wick’s PE lessons to mix up my training.”

Furness dedicates her football adventure to her brothers and father.

“I have two older brothers and my Dad was football mad,” said Furness. “I just wanted to do what my brother done so I was the annoying little sister that wanted to join in, from then on didn’t look back.”