Manchester City duo Caroline Weir and Claire Emslie marked International Women's Day by speaking of their pride at being role models for aspiring young female players.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Manchester City have established a photographic exhibition in Manchester City Centre highlighting inspirational women’s team.

The exhibition looks to showcase the side’s commitment, hard work and passion fresh off the back of a third Continental Cup win.

Caroline and Claire were both in attendance at the exhibition on Friday and fans can view the full pictures in St. Ann’s Square until Saturday 9 March.

Women’s football has been gaining significant popularity in England in recent years and Emslie spoke to CityTV of the pride she feels in being a role model for aspiring young female footballers.

“I think growing up we always said we wanted to be professional but we weren’t even sure if that was an option. I think you can see in the way the women’s game has gone, there are so many more opportunities out there for young girls coming through now.

“To be a professional and a role model for these young girls coming through and the younger generation is great.”

PICTURE PERFECT : Caroline Weir and Claire Emslie at Friday's exhibition launch
PICTURE PERFECT : Caroline Weir and Claire Emslie at Friday's exhibition launch

Weir agreed with the reality that a professional footballer is a viable career for a woman now by adding, “Each year in England women’s football gets bigger and bigger. We are just living the dream playing football. Professional football for women is a reality now.”

City work hard to ensure equal treatment of both our men’s and women’s players and invest time into maintaining a balanced media coverage of both teams.

Emslie only joined the Blues in the summer but commended the warm welcome she received to the club and praised City’s ‘One Club’ mentality.

“As soon as you sign for City you feel like an equal. There’s not a men’s and a women’s team, you’re all part of the ‘One Club’ mentality and it’s great to be part of such a big club and leading the way in the women’s game across Europe.”

It’s this equality of men and women that both International Women’s Day and Manchester City look to celebrate via the club’s photo exhibition. 

Weir went on to applaud the exhibition and spoke of the pride she felt in being a part of such a fantastic event.

“It’s great, it looks amazing. Tom (Flathers) has obviously done an amazing job, it looks amazing. It’s an honour to be involved really at such a big club and see things like this – we’re really leading the way in the women’s game; it’s amazing.”