SO, a new chapter for the Scotland women’s team. The immediate target for new head coach Shelley Kerr is to qualify for the 2019 World Cup and we wish her well.

It will be a far tougher ask than reaching the Euros, with only the winners of the seven groups guaranteed to go through to the finals. Just one runner-up will join them in France.

Switzerland are top seeds in Group 2 and were closely monitored in the Netherlands by Kerr. It was again a decent draw for Scotland, as the Swiss and Italy were the favoured options among the seven top seeds. There is a reasonable chance of qualifying.

Against that, Anna Signeul’s reliance on the same core of players means changes will have to be made speedily and efficiently. The staleness of the side was obvious even before injuries disrupted the Euro preparations.

World Cup qualifying starts next month, but Kerr has succeeded in deferring Scotland’s first game until October 19, when the side travel to Belarus. There is likely to be only one friendly in September, so Kerr will have a little time to shape her side.

Gemma Fay’s anticipated retirement from international football provides her former Scotland team-mate with two of her biggest decisions. Fay has been the No 1 choice goalkeeper for almost 20 years, and the team captain since the start of 2009. That’s a lot of continuity.

Does Kerr go for Shannon Lynn (31), who made just 24 appearances in her seven years as Fay’s deputy? Or Glasgow City keeper Lee Alexander (25) who has, remarkably, never been given a chance to show what she can do at international level?

Kerr, who has been watching Becky Flaherty among other players at the Under-19 Euros in Northern Ireland, may have other candidates in mind, including Rachel Harrison, who just missed out on the Netherlands trip.

In all probability the head coach will already have decided on her captain. Kim Little was Fay’s back-up during Euro qualifying, but is out of action with her ACL injury.

Rachel Corsie was an outstanding skipper at a young age at Glasgow City, and is a player who not only hates losing but knows how to distinguish between a win and a good performance. Joelle Murray, the Hibernian captain, is another excellent leader, but perhaps unlikely to be a regular starter in central defence, where Scotland are strong.

Finding a new right-back may also be a Kerr priority. Frankie Brown was invariably Signeul’s preferred option when fit, playing in 12 of this year’s 13 Scotland games. Yet Rachel McLauchlan and Kirsty Smith, who both play for Hibs and are younger, seem to have more to offer in the position than the Bristol City defender.

Another two Hibs players, midfielder Rachael Small and forward Abi Harrison, will be among those hoping that a new broom brings new opportunities. Claire Emslie, who wasn’t included in the Euro squad but was subsequently signed by Manchester City, is another almost certain to figure in Kerr’s plans.

The reshaped side, as before, is likely to revolve around Little when she returns to fitness. The Arsenal midfielder, Jen Beattie, Corsie, Emma Mitchell, Lisa Evans, Hayley Lauder and Jane Ross are all coming into the prime of their careers, while younger players such as Caroline Weir, Chloe Arthur and Fiona Brown will be expected to take on more responsibility.

Throw in Erin Cuthbert, the outstanding player of her age group, and Kerr has the foundations for a World Cup qualifying side.