KIM LITTLE will be available for Scotland's planned extensive Euro 2017 preparations after leaving American National Women's Soccer League club Seattle Reign and rejoining Arsenal Ladies.
National coach Anna Signeul said last week that she had asked Little and Seattle team-mate Rachel Corsie to consider their club option for next year. The Swede was concerned that they would not be released for friendly games by the American club as the NWSL does not recognise Fifa international windows.
The 26-year-old spent three years at Seattle after moving from the English club at the start of 2014. Arsenal manager Pedro Martinez Losa said: “Kim is one of the outstanding talents in the women's game.”
Neither Little nor Corsie is in Signeul's squad for Thursday night's friendly against Netherlands at Livingston. Both have been given more time to recover from injuries following the end of Seattle's season last month.
Glasgow City left back Nicola Docherty has been replaced in the squad by Rachel McLauchlan of Hibs, who gets her first call-up. It is understood Docherty could not get time off work to join the squad.
Meanwhile, Rangers Ladies are looking for a new manager following Kevin Murphy's appointment as technical director of Manchester City Women.
Murphy, who joined Rangers after nearly nine years at Hamilton Accies, has landed one of the best jobs in women's football. Man City have just been crowned English champions for the first time and yesterday drew Danish club Brondby in the last 16 of the Women's Champions League.
“I'm absolutely delighted – it's not something I could turn down when I was offered it,” Murphy said. “The timing is good as well – I'll be with Rangers until the last match of the season against Glasgow City a week on Sunday.”
Murphy will be in charge of all aspects of the girls' academy at Man City, and is also likely to assist women's manager Nick Cushing and his coaching team when required. The champions, who also won the League Cup this season, have Scotland players Jane Ross and Jenny Beattie in their squad.
“Man City are now one of the top teams in Europe,” Murphy said. “It's not just on the field. What they are doing off it is unbelievable.
“When I was down there for my interview I saw first hand just how much they value women's football. It wasn't just ticking a box or a PR exercise – it was a genuine ambition.
“They have pictures of Vincent Kompany and [England captain] Steph Houghton beside each other in the academy. When you're involved in women's football these things really stand out.
“Walk into the academy and you wouldn't say it belonged to a men's football club. The women share the facility with the men.
“You get the feeling this is an all-encompassing football club.”
Murphy had three roles at Rangers. He was manager of the women's team, but also in charge of the girls and women's academy and headed up the club's community programme.
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