Scottish model and reality star Sara McLean revealed last week that she is the girlfriend of U.S. Men's Soccer goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The Miss Scotland 2011 runner-up said that she met the soccer star at a party last year, and that she had limited interest in the sport before dating Howard.
Her boyfriend became a media darling after his stellar performance during the U.S. World Cup match last Tuesday. Howard made a record 16 saves in an ultimately unsuccessful game against Belgium.
McLean, 24, said she spoke to Howard, 35, for about an hour before that incredible performance, and he didn't even mention the game.
"He wasn't nervous at all, though, he never gets nervous," she told The Sun. "We just spoke about normal stuff."
One reason they didn't discuss his job may be because McLean doesn't know much about it.
"We don't really talk about football that much, to be honest," she admitted. "I didn't even watch football before we started going out.
"He just laughs if I ever ask him anything about football."
Her lack of knowledge about the sport has not affected the support she gives her boyfriend, however.
"I'm so proud and happy for him," she said. "And he's really happy too, even though they didn't get through."
In addition to her entertainment career, McLean is an investment banker and lives in London. Although Howard makes $3 million per year playing for the Everton Football Club in Liverpool, McLean said she does not rely on him financially.
"I like to work and make my own money," she told The Sun. "I never like to be dependent on anyone."
Howard has two children, Jacob, 8, and Ali, 7, from his former marriage to Laura Liebenrood. The couple divorced in 2010.
