Gareth Taylor targets Manchester City title win before retirement of WSL heroine Steph Houghton

GARETH TAYLOR hopes Manchester City can give Steph Houghton a title-winning send-off before her retirement. 

The head coach expects City will look into ways to honour the former England skipper, 35, who will hang up her boots at the end of this season.

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Gareth Taylor says Steph Houghton has made a “huge contribution” off the pitch to Man City’s efforts this season[/caption]

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City are hoping to win the WSL title for the first time since Houghton and her team-mates won it back in 2016[/caption]

Taylor was sharing his thoughts following Houghton calling time on a playing career spanning more than 20 years.

The City heroine’s announcement on Wednesday of her plans to retire at the end of the season, prompted tributes from past and present players and managers from across the sport.

Houghton, whose career includes spells at Arsenal and Leeds, began her senior playing journey at club level at Sunderland.

The centre-back, who has won 15 domestic trophies including three Women Super League has played in 241 Man City games across all contests since 2014.

However this term Houghton, who hopes to help her side win their first Women’s Super League title in eight years, has made three top-flight appearances.  

City boss Taylor, whose side play Liverpool this lunchtime, said: “If we didn’t have enough motivation to win it, now because of Steph, we do.

“This season has been different for her with less playing time, but her contribution has been huge, she’s helped me and the staff so much.

“We always want to recognise the greats and Steph’s right up there.

“I’m sure maybe not immediately but further down the line we’ll get to honour her in the right way.”

With Chelsea in Conti Cup action tomorrow, a City away win against the Reds would see them go three points clear at the WSL’s summit before the international break.

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An away win against Liverpool would see Man City go top of the WSL ahead of the international break[/caption]

Taylor added: “We know what we have in front of us, but also (that this is) a good opportunity to be clear at the top with Chelsea not playing. 

“Then all of a sudden, it’s them chasing us.

“It’s going to be hard for us, but what an incentive.”