Kerr praises Hibs pair’s decision to move south

Shelley Kerr believes Lizzie Arnot and Kirsty Smith made the correct decisions to leave Hibernian in the summer and join Manchester United. The Scotland head coach named only four domestic players among the 23 in her squad for the final 2019 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Albania.

Kerr’s stance is understandable as United, as with most of their English counterparts, now offer a fully professional environment. No Scottish club is even semi-professional.

Arnot and Smith were among eight Scotland players to move club in the summer, most of them taking a step upwards in terms of status. The vast majority now play in England.

“It has taken that direction over the last couple of years,” Kerr said. “It was only a matter of time because, ultimately, the players are striving to be