Scotland boss Shelley Kerr has no doubt that there is greater pressure on England than her side ahead of their Women’s World Cup meeting in Nice on Sunday.
The teams meet in at the Allianz Riviera in what will be Scotland’s debut appearance in the competition and the latest instalment in the oldest football rivalry in history.
Asked if England would be under more pressure, Kerr said: “100 per cent. It’s our first World Cup. Our journey so far has been fantastic and we’re playing against a formidable England team who are ranked third in the world.
“Phil Neville [the England manager] - apparently the reason he took the job was to win the World Cup. It’s going to be a tough task for us but it’s one we’re really looking forward to.
“I think there’s no doubt that there’s certainly more pressure on England than there is on Scotland. However, the pressure we have will be the pressure the players put themselves under.
“In terms of end results, of course we’re hoping to win the game. I think any footballer and any coach, you go into every game hoping to win it. It’s going to be a tough, tough match for us. But we are certainly looking to get a good result.”
Kerr, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, has a fully fit squad to choose from as she hopes to make a winning start to Group D, with Japan and Argentina to come.
She added: “I’ve been very honest and open about our target and that is to get out of the group stages. As much as it’s going to be difficult, that’s certainly our target.”
PA
