Sandy MacIver believes the stiff competition to be City’s number one has pushed her to new heights.

The England stopper moved to the Academy Stadium this summer from fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side, Everton.

MacIver previously spent time at City in our youth system in 2015, and says she is adjusting well to life back at the Club.

In particular, the 24-year-old points towards the close relationship she shares with fellow goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck and Khiara Keating as a key reason for the smooth transition.

It’s a bond which she believes has not only helped her settle into her new surroundings but has also seen a rise in her performance levels.

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“I’ve really enjoyed working with Ellie [Roebuck] and Khiara [Keating]. Working with Ellie in the past has made life easier, we work well with each other,” MacIver explained.

“On the pitch, the quality of the sessions and the players is so high that it’s really pushed me on and forces me to really kick on and raise my level.

“Ultimately, at the end of the day, the group has to prepare for one person to play at the weekend, and I think we do that really well.

“I think that’s testament to the goalkeeper’s union because every day we bring such high standards. It’s a really enjoyable and fun group to be a part of, which I really like.”

MacIver has also reflected on the differences she has noticed between the Club she left in 2016 and the team she has joined six years later.

While there are still some constants from her previous stint at the Academy Stadium – which have certainly helped in that initial settling process – she believes there has been a continued improvement and investment in the women’s game at the Club.

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She said: “What’s probably made life a bit easier for me is that I knew quite a few of the players before I came in.

“It always helps seeing familiar faces and I think that’s helped me settle in quicker than probably somewhere else.

“The size of the women’s setup, now all the support staff has grown which only benefits us as a team.

“It’s more behind the scenes as well as the quality on the pitch that I think has grown which I’ve noticed.”