While men’s football still might not be able to cope with the thought of a gay player, women’s football has been a lot more tolerant and it is because of that Arsenal’s Katie McCabe has felt safe enough to reveal she is in a relationship with Ruesha Littlejohn.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - MAY 11:  Katie McCabe of Arsenal battles for possession with Janine Beckie of Manchester City Women during the WSL match between Arsenal Women and Manchester City Women at Meadow Park on May 11, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – MAY 11: Katie McCabe of Arsenal battles for possession with Janine Beckie of Manchester City Women during the WSL match between Arsenal Women and Manchester City Women at Meadow Park on May 11, 2019 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Speaking with the Irish Independent, McCabe revealed she has been in a relationship with her national teammate and current London Bees player, Ruesha Littlejohn for three years now.

“As captain of the Ireland team and an Arsenal player, I’ve got a platform to speak up and show support for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community,” McCabe told the Irish Independent as she endorsed Aviv’s Dublin Pride Initiative.

mccabe littlejohn
McCabe & LIttlejohn Ruesha Littlejohn

“The women’s game is a very accepting community. You love who you love and you’re not really judged.

“I’m 23 now and have been around that in the game since I was a youngster being part of older teams.

“Aviva have shown it’s safe to dream and be who you want to be. There’s no better showcase for pride than lighting up the national stadium.”

She also spoke about the day marriage equality arrived in the Republic of Ireland, something that it has yet to do in the north of the country under UK rule.

“I remember that day so clearly,” she said, smiling. “I thought ‘fair play, Ireland’ as it showed a lot of solidarity. It paved the way for the next generation to be who they want to be.

“People don’t have to go abroad to marry and that’s a brilliant thing. Maybe I could do that one day.”

We picked McCabe as one of our top five Arsenal players of the season after her return of eight assists and five goals that helped Arsenal regain the league title.