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Women’s World Cup: Shelley Kerr names Scotland squad for finals

Watch: Your Scotland World Cup squad

Shelley Kerr has named the players who will represent Scotland in their first ever World Cup finals.

All 23 were part of the squad that drew with Chile and beat Brazil in Spain last month, with the exception of Fiorentina striker Lana Clelland.

Utah Royals defender Rachel Corsie will captain the party, with Arsenal midfielder Kim Little as her deputy.

“The target has already been set, we want to get out of the group stage,” said Kerr.

“The most important thing is that we embrace the occasion and enjoy the tournament. That’s easier if you are winning matches.”

The only notable absentee is defender Emma Mitchell, who scored for English champions Arsenal at the weekend.

Scotland begin their Group D campaign against England in Nice on 9 June, before facing Japan on 14 June and Argentina five days later.

Kerr’s side host fellow qualifiers Jamaica on 28 May at Hampden, before embarking on what will be only their second major tournament after the 2017 European Championships.

In their most recent outing, Little’s goal gave the Scots a 1-0 friendly win over Brazil, with that victory over the world’s 10th best side followed by Kerr insisting her team were not “dark horses” for the finals.

England finished third at the last World Cup, while Japan were runners-up. However, with four third-placed teams also making the last 16, Scotland are targeting the knockout stages.

The squad was named using a group of 23 schoolkids

‘Leaving out Arsenal’s Mitchell shows depth’ – analysis

BBC Scotland’s women’s football commentator Alasdair Lamont

Mitchell’s absence is a surprise. Despite the emergence of Nicola Docherty in recent games, and Mitchell’s relative lack of football at Arsenal, missing a second major tournament will be a bitter blow to the full-back. But the fact Kerr can afford to leave out a defender from the WSL champions tells you all you need to know about the improving strength in depth in this squad.

The head coach used 35 players during the qualification campaign and personally called those who did not make the cut as well as those who did. Her next big call will be to pick a starting XI for the England game. The core of the team – Lee Alexander, Rachel Corsie, Jen Beattie, Kim Little, Caroline Weir and Erin Cuthbert – is well established.

Docherty is a likely starter at left back, while two of Lisa Evans, Fi Brown and Claire Emslie will probably occupy the wide roles. That leaves a central midfield berth – assuming Cuthbert plays up front – and right back up for grabs.

The players have a little over three weeks to make their case.

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Lee Alexander (Glasgow City), Jenna Fife (Hibernian), Shannon Lynn (Vittsjo GIK)

Defenders: Chloe Arthur (Birmingham City), Jennifer Beattie (Manchester City), Rachel Corsie (Utah Royals), Nicola Docherty (Glasgow City), Sophie Howard (Reading), Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City), Joelle Murray (Hibernian), Kirsty Smith (Manchester Utd)

Midfielders: Lizzie Arnot (Manchester Utd), Leanne Crichton (Glasgow City), Kim Little (Arsenal), Jo Love (Glasgow City), Christie Murray (Liverpool), Caroline Weir (Manchester City)

Forwards: Fiona Brown (FC Rosengard), Lana Clelland (Fiorentina), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Claire Emslie (Manchester City), Lisa Evans (Arsenal), Jane Ross (West Ham Utd)

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