Hopkins: Nairn capable of special goals

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Melbourne Victory head coach Jeff Hopkins knows Christine Nairn can produce “special things” after another moment of magic in the Derby.

Nairn incredibly curled in a corner in the 88th minute to give Victory a 1-0 win over City at Epping Stadium on Saturday, sending it back to the top of the Westfield W-League.

Hopkins said he was well aware of the 28-year-old American’s ability to deliver when needed.

“She’s just amazing, how she can pull things out of her hat like that,” he said.

“She’s got that ability to do those sorts of special things in the game.”

Nairn scored a similar goal against City during Victory’s 2-0 win in January 2017, curling into the top corner in Epping.

Hopkins recalled that goal, saying: “It was very, very similar to a goal she scored I think two seasons ago against City in the Derby as well, from a corner but at the opposite end of the ground.

“That’s Christine. She’s got that ability to do things like that and it’s one of the big attractions of her as a player.

“She’s technically very, very gifted and she can pull things out at very important moments of the game, which she obviously did.”