Following an illustrious career which saw her spend 10 years at the Joie Stadium, the ex-defender called time on her playing career at the end of last term.
Now, the next generation of Blues players are gearing up for a potentially seismic seven days in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Barclays Women’s Super League.
City lock horns with Paris FC tonight in the Round Two qualifier first leg in the French capital before travelling to Arsenal in our league curtain raiser on Sunday.
Then, it’s a second meeting with Sandrine Soubeyrand’s side at the Joie Stadium to determine who will secure passage into the European competition’s group stage.
And Houghton, who will look back on memorable European nights during her time at City in her autobiography due out in November, says the Club’s players and staff will be able to handle the occasion of each.
“It’s massive, as a player, you always to play in Champions League football especially in the away legs as they’re the most challenging,” she explained.
“You don’t know what to expect. As a player you want to be the best prepared you can be but it can throw up so many circumstances.
“When you play away it’s really hostile and tough. But as a player I used to love that, it can bring the best out of you but it can hinder you to a point, but Champions League football is where this club deserves to be.
“I think sometimes that’s where we’re at our best, when we don’t think too much, it’s just right: ‘What’s next? What’s the next game?’
“The outcome is always the same, to try to win. What is the process? We play the same way every single time, no matter what.
“It’s a new group and I think it’s important that they do go and experience this and experience that pressure where you need to churn out results.
“When you might not be feeling your best, you’ve got to put your body through it and you’ve got to use the squad ultimately.
“There’s a squad there for a reason and it’s to cope with weeks like this, which are quite intense and to come off the back of a preseason to play Paris, then Arsenal and Paris again it’s going to be a really tough week but ultimately this squad can handle that.”
Watch the full interview with Houghton in the video player above!
