The 19-year-old goalkeeper was included in her maiden Lionesses squad for an upcoming Nations League double header with Belgium.
It represents the latest milestone in her impressive, fledgling career after starting all four of City’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixtures so far this term.
Her involvement for her nation also arrives during Black History Month as she became the latest player of Black origin to be named in Sarina Wiegman’s squad.
And Keating is aiming to highlight the pathway to professional football for all aspiring children.
“I think it’s important for anyone to make their debut, but coming from a background of colour, there’s not many of us,” she explained in England’s Wednesday press conference.
“I think we’re starting to see a rise and I’m just happy I could be an inspiration to anyone out there who’s thinking ‘maybe I’ll get judged’ or ‘maybe it’s not for me’.
“I feel like I’m grateful to be in the position where I can be a role model to those people.
“My mum pushed me to not only watch the Olympics but to watch more women’s games as it was growing.
“But seeing it on such a big stage like the Olympics was very inspiring and it made me think ‘it’s definitely something I want to do in the future’.”
After rising through City’s youth ranks before making her senior debut in early 2022, Keating has grabbed the opportunity given to her in 2023/24 with both hands.
At present, we sit top of the WSL table following a run of three wins and one draw at the beginning of the term, with the 19-year-old recording three clean sheets.
And the Club’s goalkeeper revealed she’ll forever be thankful to Gareth Taylor for putting his faith in her.
She added: “I’m always going to be grateful to Gareth for giving me the chance to show what I’m about.
“In the past, there’s been times where I haven’t been able to show that due to competition out there.
“He said in pre-season ‘it’s going to be a clean slate’ and ‘the decision is going to be what’s best for the team’.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity and now I’m here.”
In total, Wiegman has named seven City players in her latest England squad.
For Keating, having a swathe of City team-mates alongside her is a source of comfort ahead of a home and away matches with Belgium.
She said: “All the girls are lovely, but having people who I see everyday like more than most of my family members is quite comforting.
“Training with Ellie [Roebuck] and Sandy [MacIver] during the week it steadies the nerves.”
