Shelley Kerr announces Scotland squad for World Cup

The SFA have announced the 23 names who will represent Scotland Women in the World Cup in a video.

Utah Royals’ Rachel Corsie captains the squad and there is a late inclusion for Fiorentina’s Lana Clelland, the only player who was not in the squad which drew with Chile and beat Brazil in Spain last month.

Perhaps the surprise omission is Arsenal defender Emma Mitchell.

Scotland host fellow qualifiers Jamaica on 28 May at Hampden, before embarking on what will be only their second major tournament after the 2017 European Championships.

They will play England in Nice on June 9 before facing Japan and Argentina.

Scotland Squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Lee Alexander (Glasgow City), Jenna Fife (Hibernian), Shannon Lynn (Vittsjö GIK)

SFA Comment: Lee Alexander has been an ever-present between the sticks since Kerr’s appointment in 2017. The stopper will face stiff competition from Jenna Fife and Shannon Lynn for the number one jersey as she has done already this year, with both goalkeepers impressing when they’ve played.

DEFENDERS: Chloe Arthur (Birmingham City), Jennifer Beattie (Manchester City), Rachel Corsie (Utah Royals), Nicola Docherty (Glasgow City), Sophie Howard (Reading), Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City), Joelle Murray (Hibernian), Kirsty Smith (Manchester Utd)

SFA Comment: The experienced Rachel Corsie has valuable leadership qualities, having captained her country under Kerr. The centre-back is joined by Jennifer Beatie, fresh off the back of lifting the FA Women’s Cup with Manchester City, and Kirsty Smith, who enjoyed a successful campaign sealing promotion with Manchester United.

Glasgow City duo Nicola Docherty and Hayley Lauder are among the defensive options, with the former getting a well-earned call-up having been on the brink of one for some time.

MIDFIELDERS: Lizzie Arnot (Manchester Utd), Leanne Crichton (Glasgow City) , Kim Little (Arsenal), Jo Love (Glasgow City), Christie Murray (Liverpool), Caroline Weir (Manchester City)

SFA Comment: Arsenal’s Kim Little scored her 53rd Scotland goal in style, bagging the winner against Brazil earlier this month. She is joined in the midfield department by Liverpool’s Christie Murray, and another FA Women’s Cup winner in the form of Caroline Weir.

Glasgow City’s strong contingent is present in midfield too, with Leanne Crichton and Joanne Love included in Kerr’s final squad.

FORWARDS: Fiona Brown (FC Rosengård), Lana Clelland (Fiorentina), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Claire Emslie (Manchester City), Lisa Evans (Arsenal), Jane Ross (West Ham United)

SFA Comment: One of the Women’s Super League’s brightest prospects, Erin Cuthbert, is an unsurprising inclusion in the forward department. The Chelsea striker bagged eight goals and provided five assists, and at just 20 years of age, is one to watch.

Fiona Brown, plying her trade in Sweden with FC Rosengård, and Lana Clelland, in Italy with Fiorentina, also make the 23. Jane Ross is the highest scorer in the squad, with 58 goals in 126 Scotland appearances.

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