Lioness ace Keating happy to be ‘role model’ and aims to be first goalkeeper of colour to play for England Women
KHIARA KEATING is eyeing the chance to make history as the first goalkeeper of mixed race heritage to play for a Lionesses senior side.
The England starlet hopes to inspire girls from minority ethnic communities dreaming of playing at football’s highest levels.
Keating, who has had a stunning start to this season, was speaking on Wednesday – seven days after getting her first senior international call-up from Sarina Wiegman.
The team are set to take on Belgium on Friday night at the King Power in the first game of a Women’s Nations League double header.
The Manchester City starlet has kept three clean sheets in four WSL games this term
Keating, said: “Coming from a background of colour, there’s not many of us, I think we’re starting to see a rise.
“I’m just happy that I could be an inspiration to anyone out there that’s thinking, ‘maybe I will get judged or maybe it’s not for me’,
“I feel like I’m just grateful to be in a position where I can be a role model to people.”
Keating, who has emerged as a first XI regular for Man City this season, has the highest save percentage in the top-flight this term.
And the Manchester-born shot stopper, who made her senior club debut last January, says her call-up brought tears to her mothers eyes.
Keating added: “She was super proud when I FaceTimed her after I’d just got off the phone with Sarina.
“She was in denial and she was like, ‘Khiara, you’re lying, stop lying’.
“She (was joking) wasn’t being serious and then she obviously hit the emotional stage where she started crying.
“She’s never going to admit it to anyone that she cried but she did.
“I think she is just extremely proud as are my brothers who have seen me on the sidelines at their games, to being called up to the (England) seniors.
“They’re just so so proud.”