KIM LITTLE knows from first-hand experience how monumental the Olympic Games is for both her as an individual, and for her sport.

Almost without exception, football is the be all and end all for everyone immersed in the world’s most popular sport, but for two weeks next month, things will be different. Football will no longer be the only show in town, and Little is looking forward to be a small fish in a big pond for once.

The 30-year-old is one of only two Scots included in the 18-strong Team GB squad for the Tokyo Olympics – the other is Caroline Weir – and Little admits she cannot wait to be a part of the biggest sporting event on the planet.

“We’ve actually spoken about this as a team already. This is not just about football, it almost humbles football,” the Arsenal midfielder says of the Olympic Games.

“As footballers, we can sometimes just be in our football bubble but this is the biggest global sporting event there is and so to be a part of it is a real privilege.”

Little is one of just four players who already have Olympic experience under

their belts.

Women’s football was only introduced to the Olympic programme in 1996 but Team GB has only once before entered a team; at London 2012.

Nine years ago, Little, along with England’s Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Ellen White were all members of the squad who reached the quarter-finals and the Aberdeenshire native is

well aware that her experience may have played a significant part in the decision of recently appointed head coach, Hege Riise, to include her this time around.

“I’ve done it before, so I know what to expect. The Olympics is not like a normal football tournament and our preparation will emphasise that,” Little says.

“Firstly, this is not just about football but from a football perspective, the Games are in a much shorter space of time. So having been to London 2012, we know a bit more than some of the others what to expect.

“So I think selection might have been based on that a little bit – you need a balance between young players and those who have been there before. So I hope my experience is something I can bring.”

That Little and her compatriot, Weir, are headed to Japan at all is as a result of a protracted, and still not fully resolved, tussle.

With the home nations competing as separate entities at every other football tournament, the SFA has long been concerned that a combined team threatens their current status as a sovereign nation in FIFA’s eyes.

No men’s team will travel to Tokyo and while the SFA has not actively stood in the way of a women’s team competing, neither are they actively supporting or promoting the side.

However, Little, who has been a member of the Scotland squad for a decade and a half, amassing 139 caps in the process, does not believe Team GB’s impending participation at the Olympics poses a significant threat to the future of Scotland.

“I wouldn’t say that debate is in my mind,” she insists. “I’ve represented Scotland for 15-plus years and I’m so proud of that but then I also get this opportunity to represent Great Britain and that’s a huge privilege too.

“It’s massive having the opportunity to play at an Olympics; it’s a huge thing

for Caroline and I but it also gives the sport a whole different platform for people to see it who might not usually watch it.

“I know where the SFA stand but we are able to have our own voice and our own freedom.

“I, personally, have never felt there’s a threat to the Scotland team by having a GB Olympic team but maybe it’s different if you’re in the SFA.

“For us on the park, we’re not absorbing all the political stuff which I guess is the nice thing about being a player.”

Little, who is fresh off the back of Arsenal’s third place finish in the English Super League, and her GB team-mates will take on Zambia in a friendly at Stoke City’s stadium on the 1st of July before heading to Tokyo, where they will play Chile in their opening game of the Olympics on the 21st of July, as well as Canada and hosts Japan in the group stages of the Games.

Four-time gold medallists USA are favourites to retain their Olympic title, which they lost to Germany in 2016, but Little is optimistic GB can make a real mark.

A first-ever medal for the women’s side would be a significant achievement for Little personally, but also for the sport.

And while she is too experienced to allow her mind to drift to thoughts of silverware for too long, she admits the target is top spot on the podium next month.

“I don’t think for too long about winning a medal but it does cross my mind. We’ve had a few conversations as a squad about it – of course it comes up because that’s why we’re going to the Olympics,” she says.

“There’s only 12 teams in Tokyo and you want to aim high. And when you’re in a squad as talented as the one GB has, you have to go in thinking you have a chance of winning the top prize.”