Scotland stars Kim Little and Caroline Weir named in Team GB women's football squad for Tokyo Olympics

Caroline Weir celebrates scoring for Scotland against Jamaica at Hampden Park in 2019

Scotland stars Kim Little and Caroline Weir have been named in the Team GB women’s football squad for the upcoming Olympics.

The pair are the only Scots in the 18-strong squad selected by coach Hege Riise and announced by the British Olympic Association on Thursday morning.

It will be Arsenal captain Little’s second Olympics, having also competed at London 2012.

Great Britain’s Kim Little (left) is challenged by Cameroon’s Madeleine Mani Ngono at London 2012

Karen Bardsley, Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Ellen White of England will also compete in their second Games.

The group contains 15 England players, two from Scotland and one from Wales in Sophie Ingle.

It will be Great Britain’s second appearance at an Olympic Games in women’s football.

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Riise, the England interim boss who won Olympic gold as a player with Norway in 2000, said: “I know first hand as a former player just how proud my players will feel today at having been selected to represent Great Britain.

“There is no greater sporting occasion in the world and I am honoured to lead this hugely talented team into the Games.

“We will go there aiming to win and we will give everything we have to achieve success. I hope that Great Britain’s inclusion once more in the Olympic football tournament can inspire the next generation of young girls to play the sport we love.”

Team GB chef de mission Mark England said: “Having an opportunity to field a women’s football team in Tokyo, for only the second time in our Olympic history, is incredibly exciting.

“I am delighted to welcome the players selected today to Team GB for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

Team GB women’s football squad

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Man City/England), Ellie Roebuck (Man City/England).

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea/England), Lucy Bronze (Man City/England), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash/England), Steph Houghton (Man City/England), Demi Stokes (Man City/England), Leah Williamson (Arsenal/England).

Midfielders: Sophie Ingle (Chelsea/Wales), Kim Little (Arsenal/Scotland), Jill Scott (Man City/England), Keira Walsh (Man City/England), Caroline Weir (Man City/Scotland).

Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Man City/England), Fran Kirby (Chelsea/England), Nikita Parris (Lyon/England), Georgia Stanway (Man City/England), Ellen White (Man City/England).

Reserves: Sandy MacIver (Everton/England), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal/England), Niamh Charles (Chelsea/England), Ella Toone (Man Utd/England).