England goalkeeper Khiara Keating says that she is grateful for the playing opportunities offered to her at Manchester City this season.
The 19-year-old has started the new season as Manchester City’s number one and she has kept three clean sheets in her last four Barclays Women’s Super League outings.
Keating’s performances have resulted in her being called into the England senior squad for the first time for this month’s UEFA Women’s Nations League double-header against Belgium. When speaking in an England press conference, the player said that she is grateful for Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor’s backing this season.
“I’m always going to be grateful to Gareth for being given the opportunity to show what I’m about,” Keating said. “In the past, that opportunity hasn’t always been there due to the competition for the goalkeeping jersey at the club.
“In pre-season, he told me that it was going to be a clean slate and the decision was going to be what is best for the team. I am grateful that he has given me the opportunity and now I’m here (with England).”
Keating went on to say that her position at Manchester City came as a surprise with head coach Taylor not delivering the news until the eve of the new season.
She said “I found out the day before the West Ham game when the squad got announced. He didn’t give me any indication that I was going to play until the team got announced.
“Since the West Ham game, the team have grown in confidence. I feel like the more you play minutes, the more situations you are in and naturally, the more confidence you will gain.”
Keating is expected to be named in the England squad for the first time when they face Belgium at The King Power Stadium in Leicester on Friday night.