On the eve of Scotland’s World Cup Finals debut the squad has already been handed its first medal with the news that manager Shelley Kerr is to be made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Kerr, who had been sworn to secrecy, said she had told only her parents and her daughter prior to the announcement.

“My family have sacrificed so much to support me and this award is for them as much as it is for me,” she said.

The 49-year-old former international defender from Broxburn, West Lothian, who became manager of the Scotland women’s team in 2017, is to be awarded the gong for services to football.

Speaking from Paris, where the squad are preparing to kick off in their first match against England tomorrow, she said: “It’s a tremendous honour and one I’m immensely proud of. It’s not often I’m lost for words but I was speechless when I found out.

“As a wee girl I had a passion for football and I’ve developed over the years but I’ve always wanted to give something back to the game.  

“To be recognised for that gives me a real sense of pride.”

However she said other people deserved more credit than she did.

“The players have created a huge amount of profile for the women’s national team off the back of their performances on the park and they deserve a huge amount of credit for that. I’ve worked in the development side of the game and there’s been so many people who have supported me as an individual and it’s down to them I’ve been recognised.”

Kerr has been credited with raising expectations of the Scotland women’s team, to the extent that almost 20,000 fans – roughly four times the previous record attendance for a Scotland women’s game – turned up for Scotland’s final warm-up match last week, a 3-2 win over Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz.

Fans looking for omens might reflect that her counterpart in the match tomorrow, England women’s boss Phil Neville, has never been named in the honours list (although he can boast six Premier League and three FA Cup winners’ medals).

Other Scots recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours include Boyd Tunnock, head of the Uddingston-based confectionery firm, who said he was “deeply honoured” to be knighted for services to business and charity.

Sir Boyd, 86, said: “When you get to my age, very few things surprise you but this certainly did. Our primary purpose in life is to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves. Our country is full of very worthwhile causes that we can all make a contribution to in some way.

“Often, just a little of your time is more valuable than money.”

Colin Dorrance, the former police cadet who aged 18-and-a-half found himself among the first responders after the Lockerbie bombing in 1998, is made an MBE. 

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty, who leads policing in Greater Glasgow, has been given the Queen’s Police Medal.

And for services to the city’s business community, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick has been awarded a CBE.

Mr Patrick said: “While obviously incredibly pleased and honoured in a personal sense, I also see this award as recognition both of the work of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce in championing the city’s industry and of Glasgow’s flourishing business reputation and growing economy.”

Scots author Theresa Breslin, who specialises in young adult fiction, has been given an OBE

Mr Breslin, who grew up in Kirkintilloch, won the Carnegie Medal for British children’s books in 1994. Meanwhile, Shereen Nanjiani receives an MBE for services to broadcasting in Scotland.

Former Labour MP Brian Donohoe, who represented Central Ayrshire until 2015, also receives a knighthood for services to parliamentary and political service.
Laura Lee, co-founder of the Scottish cancer care charity Maggie’s, has been made a dame.