SHELLEY Kerr has shot down suggestions Scotland can consider themselves dark horses for the World Cup despite their historic win over Brazil.
Kim Little fired the only goal of Monday’s friendly clash in Murcia as the Scots claimed their first ever win over the South Americans.
It was just the boost Kerr’s side need as the head coach finalises her preparations for this summers finals in France.
Brazil are currently ranked No.10 in the world – 10 above Scotland – but Kerr does not believe her team can now be considered contenders to go all the way. And she will not be readjusting her targets in light of this week’s win, insisting escaping a group containing world No.3 England, Japan and Argentina remains the sole aim for the months ahead.
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“No I don’t think we’re dark horses,” she said as she helped launch a new sponsorship deal with convenience store chain Spar.
“There is a reason we have a ranking system with FIFA. We have to be mindful of that, but there is absolutely no doubt that on our day we’ll give these other nations a game. Our target remains the same: to get out of the group stage.”
And Kerr is confident her squad will not allow the jubilation of their success against the Samba Girls trick them into believing they are better than they really are.
She said: “We’ve got fantastic human beings in our team who are very, very grounded. We had a debrief right after the game and the word complacent was raised. We cannot get complacent because this was only a friendly game. I won’t allow them to do that but the girls are also fantastic at having self-awareness about where they are at as a national team.
“There is absolutely no doubt that no-one will get carried away with this result. The message after the game was that there are still things they need to improve on. You are never the finished article, whatever you do.”
READ MORE: Shelley Kerr gutted to have to cut down Scotland women squad for World Cup
Scotland kick off their World Cup campaign against the Auld Enemy in Nice on June 9, but Kerr hopes to get her side tuned in for the party atmosphere they can expect once they cross the Channel with a friendly clash against Jamaica on May 28.
It will be the first time the women’s national team has played at the National Stadium since 2012 and the head coach hopes to see the clash top the women’s record crowd for a Scotland game of 4098 achieved last year against Switzerland.
She said: “It will be a special moment for the players and I would urge everyone to come and watch.
“The players deserve a really good send off and we’re hoping for a record crowd.”
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