Aoife Colvill's journey from Canberra United to Champions League

Not even the cold Canberra winter could prepare the 19-year-old striker for her Glasgow City debut in February.

After all, she had left behind a drought stricken country to pursue her European football dream.

Colvill could barely see the ball, let alone a few feet in front, when she came off the bench to play Celtic in rain-lashed East Kilbride.

"Welcome to Scotland" Colvill thought as she played her first 10 minutes in Glasgow orange.

"Honestly, it was horrendous. The game should not have been on, I think the only reason why it was is because it was being televised," she said.

"If you look up the weather from that night it was very interesting.

"The wind was moving in all different directions and you couldn't even see the ball. It was an experience. It was Scotland welcoming me I think."

Colvill joined Scottish Champions Glasgow in February after three W-League seasons with Canberra United, having only played eight matches in lime green.

The Young Matilda went from one W-League appearance in 2019-20 to playing against Europe's best in the UEFA Champions League. All within six months.

Glasgow fell 9-1 to German giants Wolfsburg in last month's quarter-final at San Sebastian, but Colvill says it's the best football experience she's had to date.

The 19-year-old forward played the final 15 minutes of the clash, which had been postponed by three months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Honestly, it was an amazing experience. Regardless of the score, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against some class players," Colvill said.

"Even for me sitting on the bench, I was starstruck most of the time. It was really cool.

"It was intimidating [playing at Anoeta Stadium] even though there wasn't anybody there, I still looked around and thought 'wow'. It was definitely a great opportunity and I tried to soak up as much as I could, I think I did.

"I never would have thought that would happen. Even with COVID-19, the club was unsure whether they could get us there. They had so much support.

"The club did an amazing job figuring out how to get us there. I think it was, honestly, to date the best football experience I've had."

The Champions League appearance came after Colvill committed to a two-year contract extension with Glasgow, keeping her at Scotland's most successful women's club until at least mid-2022.

But her time in Scotland has not all been smooth sailing. Just as the coronavirus changed the world, it changed her world too.

Shortly after making her debut, the Scottish Premier League was shutdown and Colvill stayed with family in Ireland for three months.

The team slowly eased back into Champions League preparation in July, starting off training in groups of three and were tested twice a week for COVID-19.

Travel bans and border closures mean Colvill won't be able to see her immediate family until likely next year, but she sees it as a chance to grow up and focus on the next step of her career.

"I've signed for the next two seasons and I'm really happy they offered it to me because I think I'll grow a lot here," Colvill said.

"Scott [Booth] is willing to put the time into helping me and is teaching me a lot. I feel really positive about it and I hope I grow a lot as a player and a person off the pitch as well.

"Playing under Scott, he's a former striker and I feel he has a lot to teach me as a developing striker. I think there's so much knowledge and talent in the team, I can just learn from them. I think I'm in the right place."

Glasgow will have their Champions League qualifiers in early October and start the season later that month, with Colvill eager to play some regular football.

Her commitments with Glasgow means she'll be unable to return to United for the 2020-21 season, but the Cairns product hopes to make an impact in the W-League in the years to come.

"For me, I'd like to come back to the W-League and make an impact. That's probably one of my goals and I don't think I've done that so far," Colvill said.

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"I think two years will give me a chance to grow and become the player I want to be, then hopefully come back one day. I would love to play but for now, I think this is where I want to be.

"Football is moving a lot more towards Europe so I think I'm in the right place."

Colvill was one of five Australian women in this year's Champions League quarter-finals, alongside former United teammate Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Alex Chidiac (Atletico Madrid) Lydia Williams, Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord (Arsenal).

With 24 Matildas now based in Europe, Colvill's move could launch her onto the national team's radar as she plays consistent elite-level football.

"Never say never. For me, I'm where I need to be and I think I've got a lot of potential and growing to do," Colvill said.

"Scotland has a lot of history with football and the culture here is a bit different, especially compared to Australia in the style they play. I think learning that will be a great addition to my game."