PERFORMANCES, and not results, are likely to be the yardstick when Scotland face Norway and Iceland in La Manga this month. A win against the Norwegians especially, with Shelley Kerr’s squad missing five first-choice players, would be considered a bonus.
Of those out, goalkeeper Lee Alexander and central defender Rachel Corsie played in every minute of the eight World Cup qualifiers, while left-back Emma Mitchell only missed the first game and midfielder Kim Little played in all six games she was available for after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The fifth player unavailable is Sophie Howard, who ended the campaign as Kerr’s right-back although primarily a central defender. The only encouragement is that Mitchell, Little and Howard were similarly absent for the USA friendly in November when Scotland played well despite losing 1-0.
The player who will be the biggest loss is Corsie. A mutual decision was taken to allow the 29-year-old to remain at her Australian loan club Canberra United, but there is no masking the fact her leadership skills, on and off the pitch, as well as the manner in which she marshals the back four, will be missed in Murcia.
It is not, then, the ideal start for this historic first World Cup year. And, in respect of the injuries, it is horribly reminiscent of the recurring setbacks that helped to undermine Scotland’s Euro 2017 build-up and tournament. It is true, however, Kerr could have taken one or two of those not chosen, but preferred to remain true to her selection policy.
“Lee Alexander had an operation mid-November on her heel and ankle. It would have been touch and go for her,” the head coach said, “but I’ve been very consistent in my approach to players who are not 100 per cent fit – I won’t take them.
“I also don’t want to bring players in when they haven’t played for their clubs. I don’t think that is fair to the club or the player.”
Alexander has won all her 13 caps under Kerr, having been repeatedly overlooked by the previous coaching regime. Given she was the only goalkeeper used in the qualifying campaign, her absence at least affords the opportunity to look at other options.
Shannon Lynn came on as a substitute against the United States, but has spent almost her entire Scotland career on the bench. The 33-year-old has won just 28 caps in over eight years.
Hibernian goalie Jenna Fife has just two substitute appearances, both last January against Norway and Russia. The pair will be joined by Rachel Harrison of Spartans – it is her first call-up under Kerr and she was preferred to Durham’s Hannah Reid.
Corsie and Jen Beattie will presumably continue to be favourites for the central defensive positions going into the World Cup, even if Kerr is adamant that selection for every game depends on “performance, application and attitude”.
With Corsie and Howard unavailable, Joelle Murray has the chance to partner Beattie in La Manga and add to her only cap under Kerr. That was in the head coach’s first game against Hungary in 2017, the capable Hibernian captain having spent much of last year injured.
The right-back position appears to have been most problematical for Kerr, with several players given opportunities before she settled on Howard for the final World Cup qualifiers. Chloe Arthur and Kirsty Smith now have the opportunity to stake claims – along with Frankie Brown, who was Anna Signeul’s inevitable selection in the position and also plays in central defence for Bristol City.
Smith and Arthur can also play on the left, while Nicola Docherty, who has won just one cap in almost four years, is back in contention to cover for Mitchell’s absence.
Like Alexander, former Hibs midfielder Lucy Graham was given her international debut under Kerr in the 3-0 friendly win over Hungary 15 months ago. A family bereavement when the squad was in Minsk the following month led to an understandable loss of form, but the 22-year-old’s move to a professional environment at Bristol City has proved a big success.
Graham is joint second-top scorer in the top English league and her addition to the Scotland midfield is a boost in Little’s absence.
Among the forwards Kerr remains spoiled for choice, the attacking positions containing many of her best players including top scorer Jane Ross and the outstanding Erin Cuthbert.
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