TWO talented North Ayrshire footballers will step on to the biggest stage of their careers next week.

Joanne "Jo" Love from Kilbirnie and Irvine teenager Erin Cuthbert are in the Scotland squad for the UEFA Women's European Championships, which are being held in the Netherlands from Sunday until Sunday, August 6.

Glasgow City midfield ace Joanne (31) previously played in the English FA Women's Premier League for Doncaster Rovers Belles. By the age of 23, Love had amassed over 75 caps for Scotland. Two years later she became the fourth player to make a century of appearances, behind Pauline Hamill, Julie Fleeting and Gemma Fay.

Junior football club Kilbirnie Ladeside wished the player success and said in a tweet on Monday: "Kilbirnie Ladeside wish the town's own Jo Love all the success at the forthcoming Euro's with Scotland next week."

Erin, also a midfielder, plays for Chelsea Ladies in the FA Women's Super League. She was previously at Rangers and represented Scotland at school, under-15, under-17 and under-19 level.

And she will enjoy a dream 19th birthday next Wednesday, July 19 by running out to face Auld Enemy England in their opening sectional match.

The Scots then face Portugal on July 23 and Spain four days later with the quarter-finals scheduled for July 29 and 30.