MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 04:01:27| >> :600:1607720:1607720:

Shelley Kerr wants 10,000 fans for World Cup send-off

Shelley Kerr wants 10,000 fans for World Cup send-off
© Reuters
Scotland host Jamaica in their last warm-up fixture ahead of the tournament in France.

Shelley Kerr believes it would be a "watershed moment" for Scottish women's football if her side can attract a crowd of more than 10,000 for their friendly against Jamaica at Hampden Park on Tuesday night.

The Scots will play at the national stadium for the first time in  seven years in what will be a send-off friendly match ahead of this summer's World Cup in France.

The attendance target to beat is the 4,098 achieved last year against Switzerland, and head coach Kerr stressed the significance of a five-figure crowd.

She said: "We want to continue in the same form we have been in. We want to build momentum going into the World Cup, that is important.

"But ultimately we are looking at the support.

"For me, it would be a huge watershed moment in Scottish women's football if we can exceed 10,000, and I am confident we can do that.

"I think the players deserve it. We have always set ourselves a target of inspiring the nation and it would be fantastic for the players if we were to get that 10,000 or more.

"It is the national stadium, it is what dreams are made of.

"Personally, I am very fortunate to be at the helm to take my team to the World Cup. But pre-World Cup, to lead the team out at Hampden, it doesn't get any better, and if we get that number as expected, I will have a little wry smile at the end of the game regardless."

The last time Scotland's women played at Hampden Park was in October  2012, when they drew 1-1 against Spain in the first leg of a Euro 2013 play-off.

Ultimately,  the Scots failed to qualify for that tournament, but they did make the Euros for the first time four years later and they will make their debut in this summer's World Cup.

Newly appointed men's boss Steve Clarke held up the women's achievement as an inspiration, given that Scotland's men have not qualified for the finals of a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, also in France.

Kerr said: "That should be a typical statement. It was a heartfelt statement, it wasn't just for the sake of it.

"I have spoken to Steve since, he is a proud passionate Scot, like myself. We want our national teams to do well, so it is about having an integrated approach and we are the same.

"The women's national team, myself, everyone connected to women's football, we want the men to do well too.

"That is important. We  haven't been at a finals in over two decades, so it is important that we want all the national teams to do well."

Scotland's opening game at the finals in France comes against England on June 9 in Nice, with Japan and Argentina also in Group D.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ronnie Esplin, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'd237bc36-4399-4ae7-bb97-371028915bc4');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'World Cup send-off can be a \u2018watershed moment\u2019, says Scotland boss Kerr'});

ID:360404: cacheID:360404:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5231:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Scotland Women manager Shelley Kerr pictured on December 8, 2018
Read Next:
Shelley Kerr to share knowledge with new Scotland boss Steve Clarke
>
Read more about Shelley Kerr Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Arsenal18106235161936
3Chelsea18105338211735
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1810442419534
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
6Bournemouth188552721629
7Manchester CityMan City188463026428
8Fulham187742623328
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Brentford187383232024
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1872939261323
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Everton173861522-717
16Crystal Palace183871826-817
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1843112940-1115
18Leicester CityLeicester1835102240-1814
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1813141137-266


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!