A Dundee student has followed in her grandfather and great-grandfather’s footsteps by signing for a top football club.
Amy Gallacher – whose grandfather was former Dundee player and Courier journalist Tommy Gallacher, and great-grandfather was Celtic hero Patsy Gallacher – has just signed with Hibernian Ladies.
The 18-year-old Abertay University sport and exercise student is relishing the opportunity to join one of the biggest teams in the women’s game, and has previously played for Forfar Farmington.
“It’s the same league I was in last year with Forfar but now I’ve moved to Hibs,” Amy said.
“Obviously because it’s a bigger club the training is so much better. I signed at Easter Road and the men’s team are much closer to the women’s team so it’s a good system.
“I’m doing sport and exercise at Abertay and it’s my first year. It’s going really well so far, the lecturers are really nice.
“Being on the elite athlete development programme helps with my football because I am getting extra gym sessions that are making me stronger. It is helping me analyse things I am doing wrong in my performance.”
Hibernian Ladies first team are currently second in the women’s Scottish Premier League, behind leaders Glasgow City.
She dreams of turning professional like her grandfather and great-grandfather, and also her dad’s cousin – former Dundee United and Scotland striker and Sky TV pundit Kevin Gallacher.
The former Morgan Academy pupil believes more people are taking an interest in women’s football.
She said: “There’s a lot more girls playing football than ever before, particularly in the east region.
“Playing for Hibs will give me a better chance of being noticed for the Scotland A-squad and I would like to become a professional.
“But it’s quite a leap to the senior squad. In men’s football there is an under-21s squad and they don’t have that in the women’s game so it can be difficult to make that breakthrough.”
Amy’s grandfather, Tommy, made 190 appearances for Dundee FC between 1947-56, before becoming a highly regarded sports journalist at The Courier.
Her great-grandfather, Patsy “the mighty atom” Gallacher, won the league six times and the Scottish cup four times with Celtic FC.
Amy’s cousin, Sean Gallacher, is currently on the books at Dundee, continuing the family tradition.
