No one’s turning their back on the SWNT
Shelley Kerr says she had no thoughts of telling her mostexperienced players it was time to stand down after the World Cup.
Goalkeeper Shannon Lynn and midfielder Jo Love are 33, while Joelle Murray and Leanne Crichton are 32.
But all four were named in Kerr’s squad for the first Euro 2021 qualifier against Cyprus at Easter Road on August 30.
“We don’t have the depth of pool that other nations have,” the Scotland Women’s Team head coach pointed out.
“It’s so valuable to have players who have now been at two Finals because the young ones on the periphery can learn from them.”
Glasgow City midfielder Love has been playing for Scotland since she was 16. Her first cap was against Canada in 2002.
Although she got no game-time in the World Cup in France, she has amassed 191 caps – a record for a Scotland outfield player.
“Jo has got a lot of experience, and you can’t buy that,” Kerr said.
“I think I retired three times and came back. It’s something players should decide for themselves.”
Kerr’s squad announcement on Thursday was undermined by her admission she had been drinking alcohol at a meal with coaching staff before a team debriefing in Paris.
It happened the day after Scotland had seen a 3-0 lead over Argentina in Paris end in the 3-3 draw, which led to their elimination from the tournament.
The players and coaching staff had a day to kill in the French capital before flying home.
Kerr says she now regrets how she handled the aftermath, although denies too much alcohol had been taken.
Players were said to have been reduced to tears, and the SFA are believed to be arranging a clearthe-air meeting before the Cyprus game.
All 23 players who were in France have made themselves available for Euro qualifying.
But midfielder Christie Murray and striker Lana Clelland are injured, and will miss the Cypriots’ visit.
Fiorentina’s Clelland will be out for some time as she has had an operation for an ACL injury.