Maureen McMonigle: Positive role models

SFA head of refereeing development, Donald McVicar, is hoping that Scotland can add more female officials to its list.

Morag Pirie, 27, from Aberdeen is the only woman among the SFA's senior referees.

"There are more and more female football fans going to games and we would like to encourage as many women as possible to take an active role in officiating matches," said Mr McVicar.

"Female officials have made an impact on the international stage in recent years and Nelly Viennot, who is due to run the line for Celtic's Champions League game against Porto, is a very positive role model."

Maureen McMonigle, of the Scottish Women's Football Association, said: "Its very diffcult for a woman in a man's world and it's hard enough for women to play football, never mind to be on the park refereeing.

"Using female role models, which they have quite a few of, will let girls know that they can go into refereeing and it is a career for them."

In England, Wendy Toms became the first female referee's assistant to officiate in the Premiership.