Kerry Beattie insists it took “guts” to return to Glentoran Women this summer and explained how she is using the heartbreak of missing out on Euro 2022 as “fuel” for the rest of her career.

The 19-year-old was the standout player for the Glens last season as her 23 goals helped fire the club to the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership title.

She swiftly established herself as a Northern Ireland international regular with her exploits earning her a move to high-flying Scottish side Glasgow City.

The striker has now opened up on how she did not feel happy in Scotland and how she knew that a return home to the East Belfast club was the best choice she could make – even if prompted question.

“My professional career as a footballer is not over, far from it,” Beattie explained. “Going to Scotland was a decision I made to step out of my comfort zone.

“Ultimately, I was not that happy there and that decision to come home was not easy and I think it took a lot of guts, because when I moved there – it was all over the news that I would be away for years, then I come home just months later.

“It was the right thing for me to do and I have no regrets whatsoever on being back here, where the coaches know me best and know how to keep me improving.”

It has been a turbulent calendar year so far for the talented striker and not just at club level. Beattie, who celebrates her 20th birthday next month, was a surprise omission from Northern Ireland’s squad for the Euros.

She had broken into the senior international fold two years prior but despite Beattie’s continued exploits for club and country, she was not included in the 23-player panel for this summer’s tournament.

“It was a bittersweet experience – being so happy for the girls out there but knowing that you aren’t part of it,” she added. “It was heartbreaking for me not being there, it was absolutely gutting.

“Every time I touch a ball now, I think about that hurt and I will remember that hurt throughout the rest of my career. That moment of being told that I was not in the squad is impossible to describe, and that is the fuel that I am going to use in every aspect of my career.”

The next chapter in Beattie’s career has already begun; making her second Glentoran debut this week in a four-goal win at Lisburn Ladies in the Danske Bank Women’s Premiership.

The striker wasted no time in doing what she does best, netting two goals. “It felt great to be back,” she continued. “I was so excited to get back on the pitch for the Glens and to get a feel for things again.

“Luckily, Jess Foy was kind enough to give me back penalty duty so that helped me get going again and if you score two goals in a four-goal win then you’ll always be really happy. This is the best place for me to continue developing as a player – I was never going to join any other team when I decided to come home.”

That win at Lisburn closed the gap on league leaders Cliftonville Ladies to just two points, albeit the Reds have a game in hand – with 12 rounds of action still remaining.

“We can’t really afford to lose any more games this season if we are to win the league, so the pressure is immense,” Beattie analysed. “We were in a similar position last season of being five points behind them and obviously just pipped them to the title late on.

“We almost prefer the position that we are in of being the chasers and putting the pressure on them to keep winning. The demands and pressures that the players put on themselves at this club is higher than anything said anywhere else.

“It is inevitable that teams will drop points in a season, so it is better those mistakes happen at the start of the season and we can learn from that and make the difference when it counts.”

Next up in the league for the Glens is a trip to South Belfast to take on rivals Linfield Ladies at New Midgely Park on 10 August.