Scotland internationals Jen Beattie, Andy Robertson and Kim Little recognised in New Year Honours list

Scottish footballers Kim Little, Jen Beattie and Andy Robertson have made MBEs in the New Year Honours list.

Scotland and Arsenal player Beattie is made an MBE for services to association football and to charity. The 32-year-old recovered from breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2020 and has used her platform to encourage people to get checked, sharing details from her own experience to help others.

“It’s unbelievable,” Beattie said. “I think when you go through your career, you never expect to be recognised amongst such incredible names, you just never put yourself in that category.

“I’m beyond proud. It’s something I never even dreamed of or expected, it’s just an incredible feeling.”

Beattie , who has worked with Cancer Research UK to raise awareness, said recognition of her charity work was “definitely the part I’m most proud of”.

“Work like that to raise awareness, to encourage people to check themselves, go to GP appointments, that’s something that’s been most important to me, because it ultimately saved my life, going to get checked.”

Arsenal player Little, who earned 140 caps before retiring last year, was Scotland’s vice-captain at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The 32-year-old from Mintlaw is honoured for services to association football.

Liverpool defender and Scotland men’s captain Robertson is recognised for services to association football, charity and young people.

The left-back, who has 60 caps for his country, is an ambassador for Street Soccer Scotland, which uses football to help the homeless.

Robertson set up his own charity AR26 in late 2020, which aims to help young people.

Ian Reid of Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, who was chief executive of the organising committee of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, is made a CBE for services to sport.

The charity, which the Robertsons developed during lockdown, has three main strands: A ‘Football for All’ programme where staff will run free training sessions to encourage a healthy lifestyle, a ‘Hope for Youths’ scheme to provide education, training and job opportunities, and a ‘Life Changing Experiences’ project that will help create memories for sick children and their families at difficult times.

When the charity launched, Robertson said that he wanted to use his position to provide opportunities for struggling families.

“My wife Rachel and I and the AR26 team all had a good upbringing but we know some people aren’t as fortunate as that,” he said.

“If we can provide opportunities to certain families then hopefully we will make a big, big difference to those who aren’t so lucky.

“We’re trying to level the playing field and make it a wee bit fairer and that’s the aim for the charity moving forward.”