Kerr rings changes for WC qualifiers

SHELLEY KERR has made three changes to her Scotland squad for this month’s opening World Cup qualifiers against Belarus and Albania.

Experienced defenders Emma Mitchell and Jen Beattie return from injury at the expense of Frankie Brown and Vaila Barsley. There is a first call up for young Hibernian goalkeeper Jenna Fife, who replaces Celtic’s Megan Cunningham.

Kerr watched Mitchell and Beattie play in Saturday’s FA WSL game between Manchester City and Arsenal, which also featured three other players in her squad.

“It was fantastic for me to see so many Scotland players in that game,” Kerr said. “It’s a strong squad and the players who have been omitted will get feedback.

“It’s the national team, and there should be competition for places. That’s part of our mantra going forward and the door is always open for other players as well.

“Jenna is doing really well with her club and the message we’re sending out is that players will be judged on their current form. She deserves her opportunity.”

There are four Glasgow City players in the squad and three of them flew out to Kazakhstan yesterday for tomorrow’s Women’s Champions League last 32 tie against BIIKKazygurt. Missing was Scotland’s most capped outfield player Jo Love, who was unable to get time off work from her employers.

City were due to arrive at their hotel in Shymkent, which is in the south-east corner of the country, in the early hours of this mornin – following a mammoth 16-hour journey via London and Moscow.

“It’s a case of in and out of the country as quickly as we could,” City head coach Scott Booth said. “It has taken planning but at least we know what to expect.

“It’s not ideal, and the travelling is going to take a bit out of us, but the biggest issue is us handling Kazygurt.”