Scotland star Jen Beattie retires from international football

Beattie is hanging up her boots after 15 years with the national team.

Scotland star Jen Beattie retires from international football SNS Group

Arsenal and Scotland defender Jen Beattie has announced her retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old has drawn a line under a Scotland career that saw her earn 144 caps and score 24 goals, as well as playing at the World Cup in 2019.

Beattie, who continued her career at club and international level while being treated for breast cancer, was awarded an MBE for services to football and charity in the New Year’s honours list.

The defender began her Scotland career 15 years ago, making her debut against the United States in March 2008.

Beattie’s first Scotland goal came later that year against Portugal in the European Championship qualifiers.

She was a key part of the Scotland side that made history by reaching a major finals for the first time when they qualified for the 2017 Euros in the Netherlands, but suffered huge disappointment when an ankle injury ruled her out of the tournament.

Beattie did go on to play at a major finals though, helping the team qualify for World Cup 2019 in France and scoring against Argentina in the group phase.

She continued to be a strong and experienced member of the team through the last qualifying campaign, as Scotland reached the World Cup play-offs but were knocked out by Ireland.

Marking her retiral, the Scottish FA posted a video that showed her long career in dark blue, as they thanked “a Scotland legend”.

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