FRAN KIRBY says her bond with Sam Kerr will not stop her gunning for victory if Great Britain and Australia go head-to-head at the Olympics.
The Chelsea playmaker made the admission after being selected to represent Team GB at the Tokyo games in July.
Kirby, 27, has established a formidable partnership at Chelsea with Matildas skipper Kerr
The duo netted 37 goals last term helping Chelsea to nab their fourth WSL title.
And their bond has seen them compared to Manchester United legends Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, who helped lead the Red Devils to a historic treble in 1999.
But Kirby says she is prepared to put their special on-pitch bond to one side if it would mean a for Team GB.
Kirby told FAWSL Full-Time: “I think of course it’s always special to play against people who you play with week in, week out on a scale like that. “
“For so many of us to be able to go there and represent our countries in the Olympics, I think it’s something that we need to celebrate, obviously, as team-mates and as friends.
“But I think obviously, when you come into a game situation, I think that kind of just gets thrown out the window.
“She (Kerr) knows a lot about my play and I know a lot about her play so I think we’ll be able to give a bit of info on each other.”
“For me, it’s just exciting. I think it’s exciting for all of us to be involved and all of us to just go out there and have fun and be Olympians and be able to be in that environment together.
“I think it’s going to be really nice but I think once you get in that moment, you’re just completely focused on your team.
“And you’re not trying to think about how you can make your friend happy. It’s about how can you win for your team.”
Kirby is joined by her Blues pals Millie Bright and Wales skipper Sophie Ingle in a Team GB squad that consists of 11 Manchester City players.
And they will have to be at their best if they come up against team-mate Kerr who scored an incredible 21 goals for Emma Hayes’ side last season.
The 27-year-old also eyeing success with Australia who have former USA assistant boss Tony Gustavsson in charge for the upcoming tournament.
And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner reckons her national side can go far with Gustavsson at the helm.
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Kerr said: “I think he’s going to fit in well not only with the team off the field, but on the field, I think he’s what we need.”
Chelsea fans will get to see their stars in action when the tournament begins on July 21.
Team GB are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by matches against Japan and Canada in Tokyo’s Sapporo Stadium.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
