'What better way to challenge yourselves than against the world champions?'
Monday 12 November 2018 16:05, UK
Scotland are ready for the ultimate test in women's football when they host world champions USA at Paisley on Tuesday night, says boss Shelley Kerr.
The side qualified for their first World Cup in September, which will be hosted by France in June 2019, while the USWNT visit Scotland for the first time in their history, having beat Portugal in a friendly last week.
Kerr says she would like to face a full strength USA side but admits there is "absolutely no doubt" it will be a tough match against the most successful team in international women's football.
When asked how her team were feeling ahead of Tuesday's match, she said: "Yeah, I think excited, but not too excited.
"They recognise we're on the back of a fantastic achievement, getting to the World Cup for the first time, but they know they have to test themselves against really good teams.
"What better way to challenge yourselves than against the world champions?
"There's absolutely no doubt it's going to be a tough game for us. They have global superstars, on and off the pitch.
"But the reality is that we could draw them and get them in our group at the World Cup. At this early stage, while we are still in 2018, we need a good measure of where we're at.
"We've come off the back of a good run the last year and a half. The results have been fantastic, the results have been great.
"We know it's going to be tough but I think for us, I'm hoping they play their strongest team, people are saying we might take a heavy defeat but I'm not caring."
"The people of Scotland can watch the world champions. You look at their squad, they've brought all the big hitters."
Scotland women have received an £80,000 investment from the government ahead of the 2019 World Cup, which will enable the entire squad to train full-time from January in the build-up to next year's tournament.
Scottish-based players currently have to combine full-time employment with their training commitments at both national and club level, but Kerr believes the additional funding will make a "massive difference" to her players.
"We will get the group together more often and train tactics. Myself and Andy Thompson [assistant manager] will be able to work with them on a weekly basis. It will make a massive difference."
