by ALAN CAMPBELL

IT was, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Albanian Alps, a very un-Scottish ending. Instead of glorious failure, events conspired to send Shelley Kerr and her players to next summer’s World Cup in France.

The final whistle, and the players’ unbridled joy on learning that Switzerland had simultaneously failed to win in Poland, confirmed Kerr’s long-held belief that it would be the top seeds who faltered at the last hurdle.

The win over Albania at the Lori Borici Stadium was somewhat laboured, but neither the head coach Shelley Kerr nor her players were concerned about that after the team’s historic achievement.

The two results left Scotland on top of Group 2 for the only time since the qualifying campaign began last September. They can now look forward to next summer’s finals in France while the Swiss contemplate the four nation play-offs.

“You could see our energy was zapped tonight after the win over Switzerland on Thursday night and the pitch here wasn’t great,” Kerr said. “But that’s why I knew it would be the same for the Swiss against Poland.

“The team are going to celebrate for sure because they deserve it – it’s not every day you get to a World Cup, is it? Nothing compares to this. I’m delighted for all the players, the organisation and all the other people who support us. We had seven or eight good chances, we’ve hit the post again and we should have made it more comfortable but I’m no going to dissect the performance.

“The whole week has been so tense and I’ve tried to keep calm as a coach. I’ve just told the players to try and win the games and they’ve done it magnificently.”

Top scorer Jane Ross, who was left out of the starting line-up for the previous two games, returned, while Manchester United’s Lizzie Arnot was also given her first start since returning from an ACL injury in April.

Christie Murray and Claire Emslie dropped down to the bench.

With the home side expected to get as many bodies as possible behind the ball, Scotland’s game plan was to stretch them on both flanks and it didn’t take long to pay off. After nine minutes of probing, Lisa Evans got clear on the left and sent over a cross to the far post which Arnot sent back into the paths of Kim Little and Erin Cuthbert. The Arsenal captain claimed it and crashed a volley past Viona Rexhepi.

It looked to be a non-contest as the Scots created chance after chance but they lacked the sharpness to take advantage. Rexhapi was also doing her part and made a terrific double save from Cuthbert and Ross six minutes after the goal.

The pattern continued until the half hour when the Albanians started to find some confidence. They found an equaliser just before half time, and just minutes after Rexhepi had made an even better save from Emma Mitchell – Megi Doci sending a low shot past Lee Alexander, who had been redundant for most of the 45 minutes.

Left-back Mitchell came even closer with a shot which hit the post and Cuthbert drew out another fine save from Rexhepi, but it was starting to look fraught midway through the second half when the much-needed goal finally arrived.

Caroline Weir took a free kick which her Manchester City team-mate headed back into the path of Ross and the striker scored her 57th, and most important, Scotland goal.

After that there was no way back for Albania, who spent most of the remaining time pinned back in their own half. News filtered through that Switzerland had been held by Poland and two minutes later Scotland had booked their place in the 2019 World Cup.