Houghton praises Bunny's determination to hop to the top

Steph Houghton is full of admiration for Manchester City team-mate Khadija Shaw's determination to scale the heights of women's football. 

City hotshot Shaw, who is known as Bunny, has netted a staggering 48 goals in 59 appearances for Gareth Taylor's side. 

And skipper Houghton has nothing but praise for the 26-year-old Jamaica international, who joined the club from Bordeaux in June 2021. 

Speaking to City's official website, she said: "With Bunny, we can speak so much about her as a player. 

"But I think her journey to where she is today, being from Jamaica and fighting her way to play professional football, is special. 

"Everybody has their own stories but Bunny's is so special. 

"You have a job not just as a footballer but of inspiring people to do what you do and being that role model."

Growing up in Spanish Town in her homeland, Shaw found opportunities to play football few and far between. 

But after representing age groups beyond her years, she left home for the United States and settled at Eastern Florida State before moving to the University of Tennessee. 

With a degree in communications in her locker, Shaw is now firmly the focal point of City's attack. 

Houghton added: "I'm proud to be part of our women's team because everybody has gone through different struggles to get where we are today. 

"Everybody’s so different. It reaches out to so many young girls and boys across the world. That's a special feeling."

City top the Women's Super League on goal difference ahead of their clash with second-placed Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. 

And red-hot Shaw, who has bagged two goals in two league appearances this term, will be eager to shoot down the unbeaten Foxes.