No plain Jane, but Kerr’s keen to try Cuthbert

THE emergence of Chelsea forward Erin Cuthbert as one of the most influential players in the Scotland team at the age of just 20 continues to give head coach Shelley Kerr welcome selection problems ahead of today’s final World Cup qualifier against Albania.

If Kerr’s side better the result of Group 2 rivals Switzerland in Poland – the two games are being played at the same time – they will qualify for next summer’s finals in France. Kerr is adamant that the Swiss, who have a far tougher task, are vulnerable following their defeat to her side on Thursday - but even if they’re not, a Scotland draw at the Loro Borici Stadium will take them into the World Cup play-offs.

So spoiled for choice is Kerr in the attacking positions that there has been no starting place for top scorer Jane Ross in the last two games. The return of Kim Little from an ACL injury, and the emergence of Cuthbert (above) as a player of similar class, has meant only a seat on the bench for a striker who has a record of 56 international goals from 118 games.

“We’ve had a chat with Jane,” Kerr said of the West Ham forward. “She’s been a brilliant player for us and still will be.

“We just felt that with the teams we’ve played we needed something a wee bit different for the last two games. She came on against Poland and got us a goal.

“We were talking about her the other night.

“For all Erin’s attributes and the abundant talent, the one thing she’s got that we’ve probably missed is that Scottishness. We’ve been missing it across all out teams – male and female – for some time.”